At CARNIRIV 2012, Soyinka calls for cultural preservation

NOBEL Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has called for the preservation of the country’s culture in order to restore pride in the nation and its cultural heritage. Artistes, intellectuals and the common man, he said, must take the lead in this venture.

Soyinka made the call at a colloquium marking the beginning of this year’s Port Harcourt Carnival, CARNIRIV 2012. He described artistes and intellectuals as the custodians of the people’s culture. CARNIRIV Colloquium is a forum for intellectual discourse on issues that border on the state and nation.

Making reference to this year’s CARNIRIV theme, ‘Reminiscing the Past, Consolidating the Future’, Soyinka added that culture gives meaning to existence and it is the platform on which people can achieve a seamless transition of uniqueness from the world of the ancestors, which is the past, to that of the living, the present, and most importantly, to the world of the unborn which is the future.

He cautioned against the use of cultural events for glorification of political leaders who use the symbols of a people’s history and cumulated wisdom as mere augmentation of the vulgarity of power.

He, therefore, advocated a collaboration of culture and politics because it is the former that gives coloration and vitality to the arena of day-to-day existence of the people. According to him, it is within culture that the character of a nation is expressed.  Traditional participation must be of the community and it is their inherent values that stand them out at any time, he said.

Soyinka was quick to point out that culture is not just about humour and celebration of colours at carnivals, but a communion of togetherness that binds a people in fellowship and appreciation of their heritage irrespective of religion and political alignment.

Earlier, Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nabbs Imegbu, said the intention of the state government was not just to make CARNIRIV a platform to project the rich cultural heritage of the people of the state, but to make it a major pillar for the social-economic growth.

“The government of Rivers State, over the past five years, has been consistent in its efforts to make CARNIRIV a tool for cultural revival. That is, the articulation of the special values, customs and attitudes of the people into a sellable package. In Rivers State, we are a people founded on unique values that we individually and collectively express in our everyday lifestyle,” Imegbu said.

The commissioner added that one of the most important strategic thrusts of CARNIRIV is that it is being positioned as a tool of economic drive that will empower the people and enhance their standard of living during and after the festival.

“We are driving the interest and participation of the people for CARNIRIV. Gradually, they understand that ultimately, they are the real owners of project. This is beginning to yield positive results as the state consistently experiences a quantum leap of economic activities throughout the festival period,” he said.

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