The 6th edition of the Providus Bank World Poetry Day Café: An Evening with Wole Soyinka will hold on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Terra Kulture Arena, Victoria Island, Lagos. This year’s celebration takes on a profound global dimension, as it commemorates the beginning of the United Nations Second Decade of African Descendants (2025–2034) with the theme: “Sand Dune and Ocean Bed: The Template of Dispersal.”
Since 2020, Providus Bank has championed this annual literary event under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, in partnership with the Culture Advocates Caucus (CAC), curated by renowned culture advocate Jahman Anikulapo, and inspired by Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, a former UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
This year’s gathering promises an unparalleled fusion of poetry, music, and cultural discourse, drawing together esteemed members of the literary and arts communities, industry leaders, and the general public. The lineup includes poetry readings, performances, workshops, and an exclusive reception.
Cuba: The Special Guest Nation.
One of the highlights of the 2025 edition is the special participation of the Republic of Cuba, marking a significant collaboration between Nigerian and Cuban literary and artistic traditions. A 15-piece musical orchestra and a delegation of distinguished Cuban poets, accompanied by the Cuban Minister of Culture, Hon. Alpidio Alonso Grau, will headline the celebration. Their visit aligns with the 30th Anniversary of UNESCO’s “Routes of Enslaved Peoples: Resistance, Liberty, and Heritage” Programme, underscoring the event’s broader historical and cultural relevance.
The delegation’s itinerary extends beyond Lagos, with a special performance in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on March 23, where they will engage with Yoruba heritage, Olumo Rock, and the historic Adire market in Itoku.
Featured Nigerian Poets and Artists.
To ensure a compelling artistic exchange, five distinguished Nigerian poets have been selected to showcase the depth and diversity of Nigerian poetic traditions alongside their Cuban counterparts:
– Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun (Àrẹ̀mọ Gemini)
– Evelyn Osagie
– Kafayat Quadri
– Tijani Usman
– Chinelo Nwora
Adding to the artistic excellence is Wole Alade, a multi-instrumentalist, jazz composer, and global music icon, whose Afrocentric sounds will enrich the evening’s performances.
Cuban Poetic Voices and Camerata Cortés Orchestra
Joining the event from Cuba are acclaimed poets:
– Sinecio Verdecia Díaz
– Alex Pausides
– Edelmis Anoceto Vega
– Israel Domínguez
– Emiliano Sardiñas (Repentista)
The Camerata Cortés Orchestra, a prestigious Cuban musical ensemble, will bring their signature fusion ofCuban, Latin American, and international music to the Lagos stage. Founded by legendary flautist José Luis Cortés “El Tosco”, the orchestra is celebrated for its innovative musical expressions and technical brilliance.
