The Kano State Emirate Council is partnering with the Legacy of Traditions to promote cultural firms.
The Cultural Film Festival features over 20 cultural film screenings, with conversations with producers, directors, cultural ambassadors promoters, art and photography galleries of culture.
The initiative is aimed at building a cultural economy through festivals and cultural traditions so that the legacies of existing heritage go to the future, the organisers said.
The official opening of the cultural films festival took place at the Ado Bayero Mall, Kano. The closing ceremony will hold on July 30 and is expected to be attended by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The organisation said the choice of Kano is because of the state’s rich culture, particularly its durbar as well as its status as the centre of commerce for the north and West African countries.
The event in Kano is the first of its kind, focusing on cultural documentaries to enhance the cultural experience journey that will commence during the film screenings, which will remain on display until the end of 2023.
Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, expressed delight over the initiative, saying he, like Legacy of Traditions, is passionate about the promotion of their rich cultural heritage, particularly the famous Durbar.
“I commend the Legacy of Traditions, under the leadership of Princess Nere Emiko, the initiator of this unprecedented exhibition,” the emir said, acknowledging all the efforts she has made in partnership with Kano Emirate Council to raise the profile of the Durbar within and outside Kano.
The monarch said the concept will preserve other aspects of the Durbar as a means of developing a durbar industry that will enhance economic and financial benefits for the people and country.
Kano State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hajiya Ladidi Garko, described the event as “wonderful and spectacular,” noting that the Legacy of Traditions has challenged them to build on.
She appreciated the fact that the initiator, who hails from Delta State, has come to appreciate and showcase their culture to them.
“This is an eye-opener. We are going to use this opportunity without allowing it to die. We will use the durbar to attract foreign investors to come and witness it so that we will go global,” the commissioner said, and announced that “in three months we will organise a food festival for people to come and see the different types of food we have in Kano.”
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Director Legacy of Traditions, Nere Emiko, spoke on the importance of having a cultural film festival.
“A lot of time, unless you are there live, this gives you the opportunity to know it. It lasts forever, it goes further. And that expands the length and breadth our culture can go.
“Kano is probably the city of culture. It has preserved tradition, legacy and culture more than anywhere. Kano is the only city where you go and see the Emir riding on the street and you see culture on the street.
“What we hope to achieve is honestly number one, we would like Kano to come back to take its place as a centre of tourism and culture.
“Secondly, we would like to foster more cultural diversity. A lot of people don’t know Kano’s rich history as a melting pot of different cultures. I think the more hold cultural events like this the more we promote unity and diversity, also boost our tourism and economy,” she said.