By Japhet Alakam

Despite the political agenda in 2015, Lagos Black Heritage Festival in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Education has concluded all arrangement for the 2015 and fourth edition of “Vision of the Child” with the theme: “The Road to Sambisa”.

This was disclosed by Mr. Disu Halloway, Lagos State commissioner of Tourism and Inter-governmental Affairs while announcing for a call for entries for the 2015 edition during a media chat in Lagos.

Disu who also represented the festival consultant, Prof. Soyinka stated that, after the success of the 2014 The Vision of the Child competition where an interactive test to stretch youthful imagination and skills across genres was introduced, the organisers will continue with the innovation. Halloway also used the forum to call on other corporate bodies to emulate Diamond bank by instituting their own so that there will be competition for other age categories since this one is for those below 12 . He urged them to put their money and show interest in cultural issues, pointing out that the project is a developmental project so it need to be supported. The vision of the child competition which is sponsored by Diamond bank is a component of the yearly Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF) that focuses on the individual vision and artistic inclinations of children in Lagos State.

The 2015 edition is designed as an interactive test to stretch youthful creativity even more than in previous editions, which were also very successful. Instead of the uni-disciplinary interpretation of the given theme, participants will now express their vision in both painting and the literary arts.

This year, the competition begins with the literary section – a poem, essay or short story of 300 to 500 words – on the theme. Those who scale through will then be invited to the festival’s base, Freedom Park (by Broad Street, Lagos); provided with brushes, paint and easel and set to illustrate their literary presentation in the complementary medium of painting.

This is the second edition of what can be regarded as a mini Artistic Decathlon, tailored to the capabilities of the child. The festival already envisages an even more intensive contest, with a disciplinary repertory whose menu will change from edition to edition.

For now, LBHF invites parents, schools and their teachers to the 2015 edition. Registration opened from November 13 and closes on December 19th while screening of entrants begins on January 12 2015. Entrants can register through the hard copy form or by online.

Prizes will be presented to the winners by Diamond Bank ,while wining entries will be mounted for viewing at the Gala event to mark the conclusion of the festival.

Speaking at the briefing, representative of Diamond bank who commended the Tourism commissioner for showing good passion towards the project said that their collaboration with LBHF is based on the need to move art and culture to the next level. “The partnership affords us the opportunity to collaborate with Lagos to promote the creative talents of our children.” He said.

The competition is open to any children between nine to 12 years, in any primary or secondary (public or private) schools in Lagos State who has an interest in painting, writing and reading.