A Colloquium/Exhibition on African Rock Art and the Pan-African Renaissance opened, on Wednesday, 22nd May, 2013, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of activities lined up to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity/African Union.
The event, which is organized by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) and the Pan-African Renaissance, in partnership with the African Union, UNESCO and the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA).
At a brief opening ceremony, Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, expressed delight at the epoch-making event, which is designed to showcase the inherent potentials in African Rock Art.
The Minister, who assured of his ministry’s continuous support, noted that the Rock Art sites, when developed, “are capable of controlling rural-urban migration, reducing poverty, growing tourism, creating jobs and attracting investment.”
On his part, Professor Tunde Babawale, Executive Director, CBAAC, stated that the Rock Art and Pan-African Renaissance Project is focused on the reconstruction of Black and African peoples’ history, informing that if African Rock Art is promoted and developed, it can become one of the fastest growing in the African continent’s culture and tourism industry.
He concluded on an optimistic note that the Colloquium and Exhibition will provide a platform for updating research findings on African Rock Art and facilitate information sharing, networking and capacity building on strategies for promoting and preserving this rare heritage of the African people.
The colloquium is being attended by scholars and experts drawn from universities and cultural institutions from Africa
, among them are, Professor Franciso Matsinhe, Professor Salima Ikram, Professor Audax Mabulla, Professor George Abungu, Professor David Aremu, Dr. Ohioma Pogoson, and Dr. Sidi Mohammed.
Also present are the Federal Director of Culture, Mr. George Ufot, and chief executives of some Federal Cultural parastatals, including, Mr. Martin Adaji (National Troupe of Nigeria), Alhaji Kabir Yusuf (National Theatre), Mallam Yusuf Usman Abdallah (National Commission for Museums and Monuments); while the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation was represented by the Acting Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Mr Alex Omijie.
In the next two days, participants are expected to present well researched papers on the conservation, management, awareness creation and contemporary uses of Rock Art for the common good of the continent.
© Nico news