The Providus Bank World Poetry Day Café 2025 is set to be a remarkable cultural event celebrating poetry, music, and heritage.
Since UNESCO’s declaration of March 21 as World Poetry Day in 1999, the occasion has continued to honour poetry as a unifying art form. In Nigeria, Providus Bank has taken the lead in commemorating the day, incorporating themes that reflect pressing global concerns such as environmental preservation, youth empowerment, migration, and socio-cultural identity.
Now in its sixth edition, the Providus Bank World Poetry Day Café, curated by Jahman Anikulapo for the Culture Advocates Caucus (CAC) and backed by Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, will be held on tomorrow, March 21, at Terra Kulture Arena, Victoria Island, Lagos.
This year’s theme, ‘Sand Dune and Ocean Bed: The Template of Dispersal’, aligns with the United Nations’ ongoing focus on African descendants and reparatory justice.
A significant highlight of the event is the participation of a Cuban delegation led by the country’s Minister of Culture, Honourable Alpidio Alonso Grau. This delegation consists of poets, musicians, and cultural representatives who will showcase Cuba’s literary and artistic vibrancy.
The visit is particularly symbolic, coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of UNESCO’s Routes of Enslaved Peoples: Resistance, Liberty, and Heritage program. Beyond Lagos, the Cuban delegation will also visit Abeokuta, where they will engage in cultural exchanges and explore Yoruba heritage sites such as Olumo Rock and the Adire Market in Itoku.
Carefully selected Nigerian poets will perform alongside their Cuban counterparts to provide a dynamic representation of Nigeria’s diverse poetic traditions. The selection ensures that the Cuban guests experience a variety of styles, from Yoruba-rooted oral traditions to contemporary spoken word. Among the poets is Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun, also known as Àrẹ̀mọ Gemini, whose work is deeply influenced by grassroots realities and African heritage.
Evelyn Osagie, a seasoned performer, blends folklore, myths, and music in her poetic expressions. Kafayat Quadri, popularly known as Kaffe of Life, brings a fusion of music and poetry, while Tijani Usman, also known as Tijaywebster, incorporates rap and dancehall influences into his spoken-word delivery. Chinelo Nwora, a passionate writer and performer, adds an expressive and engaging dimension to the event.
Cuba’s poetry delegation includes Sinecio Verdecia Díaz, a poet and cultural promoter who serves as the Director of the House of Poetry in Cuba; Alex Pausides, a prominent poet and literary figure; Edelmis Anoceto Vega, an award-winning poet, essayist, and translator; Israel Domínguez, a well-respected poet and translator; and Emiliano Sardiñas, a widely celebrated improvisational poet.
In addition to poetry, the event will feature a special performance by Camerata Cortés, a renowned Cuban musical ensemble founded by the legendary flautist José Luis Cortés. Known for their innovative approach to Cuban and Latin American music, the ensemble members are highly skilled musicians who also serve as educators. Their performance promises to add a rich musical experience to the poetry event.
A major attraction of the evening will be the special guest performance by Wole Alade, a world-class multi-instrumentalist and jazz composer who has collaborated with prominent musicians globally. His ability to merge African rhythms with contemporary jazz will bring an additional layer of artistic depth to the gathering.
The Providus Bank World Poetry Day Café 2025 is shaping up to be an extraordinary celebration of poetry, music, and cultural exchange, strengthening the ties between Nigeria and Cuba while reinforcing the global significance of poetry as a medium of connection and dialogue.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then