The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cultural cooperation with Africa, supporting creative industries, and promoting people-to-people connections through art, music, and education.
This renewed commitment was highlighted at the Afrobeat Rebellion Exhibition hosted at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos to commemorate the birthday of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Led by EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, members of Team Europe, including ambassadors and senior diplomats from Poland, Finland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Portugal, attended the event. Supported by the French Embassy, the exhibition continues its inspiring journey from Paris as a cultural bridge connecting continents through rhythm, art, and memory.
A collaboration between African and European artists, the exhibition merges photography, sound, and multimedia installations that explore the legacy of Fela’s music—from his political activism and defiant creativity to the global recognition of Afrobeat as a force for resistance and cultural identity.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Mignot described the exhibition as a reflection of the enduring power of cultural diplomacy to unite people and foster understanding.
He said, “Art and music transcend boundaries. Through exhibitions like Afrobeat Rebellion, we celebrate not just artistic expression but shared values of freedom, creativity, and dialogue. Fela’s legacy reminds us that culture is a powerful tool for unity, for questioning the world, and for inspiring positive change.”
He further noted that “from Paris to Lagos, Afrobeat Rebellion embodies the spirit of partnership between Africa and Europe, a partnership rooted in respect, creativity, and shared humanity.”
The ambassador emphasised that the exhibition’s arrival in Lagos represents a symbolic homecoming for Afrobeat and its founder. Visitors experience immersive installations and archival imagery capturing the rhythm and resistance embedded in Fela’s music,a timeless reminder of justice, identity, and freedom.
The exhibition underscores Europe’s growing engagement with Africa’s creative and cultural landscape, highlighting art as a platform for collaboration, dialogue, and innovation across borders.
