Originally designed and presented by the Philharmonie de Paris, the Fela Anikulapo Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion immersive multi-sensory mixed-media exhibition is coming to Lagos for the very first time.
Created in partnership with the Whitespace Creative Arts (AWCA) Foundation, the French Embassy in Nigeria, and the Kuti family, the exhibition aims to explore candid snapshots of Fela Kuti’s life, music, and enduring legacy.
Originally curated and staged at the Philharmonie de Paris from October 2022 to June 2023, Afrobeat Rebellion comprised archived pieces worn by the legend, unpublished photographs, stage costumes, and rare recordings.
Opening on October 12 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos, the Lagos edition expands with a VIP opening and builds on Fela’s legacy with an extended cultural programme designed to connect with diverse audiences, including Lagosians who lived through Fela’s era, younger generations newly discovering his impact, and international visitors drawn to his activism through his art.
“Supporting the Afrobeat Rebellion in Lagos reflects our belief that culture is a bridge. It is a logical and welcome follow-up to the successful exhibition in Paris. This project is both a celebration of Franco-Nigerian collaboration and a cultural gift, honouring Fela’s legacy – who was greatly appreciated in France – while deepening the dialogue between our two nations,” Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos, said.
The exhibition will feature a Live Music Experience curated by Lanre Masha, as well as select performances and private studio sessions with Ezra Collective, Femi, Seun, and Made Kuti, respectively, Sodi Marciszewer, Chike, YKB, and Vaedar.
It is also set to host a parley dubbed The Talks, aimed at exploring Fela Kuti’s legacy and achievements, featuring creative thought leaders like Yeni Kuti, Prof. Oyeronke Oyewumi, Falana, among others.
The exhibition also features film screening sessions curated by the S16 Collective, dubbed Kalakuta Cinema. It is set to screen seven classics including Music Is a Weapon, The Lost Okoroshi, Mami Wata, Timbuktu, and Finding Fela.
“For us, this is more than an exhibition. It is a living season of culture. We designed it to bridge generations: from the children creating in the Young Rebels’ Corner to the elders who remember Fela firsthand, and everyone in between. Our programmes are grounded yet far-reaching, and Lagos deserves nothing less than a homecoming of this magnitude,” Onoshiokhue Ako, Project Lead for the exhibition, noted.