Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The second edition of the Enugu Photo Festival has commenced in the Coal City, themed “From Ruins to Remembrance.”
Founder of Art Focus Foundation and Curator of the Enugu Photo Festival, Chidera Sam-Eze, told newsmen shortly after the opening ceremony that the event was organised in collaboration with the National Museum of Unity, Enugu, the Centre for Memories, and supported by the Goethe-Institut Nigeria.
She explained that this year’s festival features a variety of activities, including a symposium and artist talk, portfolio review and workshop sessions, as well as short film screenings.
“For the second edition of the Enugu Photo Festival, we have chosen the theme ‘From Ruins to Remembrance’ to revisit cultural memory, forgotten sites and spaces, artefacts, hidden histories, and the stories they hold within our communities,” Sam-Eze said.
“The festival is a platform designed to showcase the work of photographers, visual artists, and storytellers, with a focus on narrating the rich culture, history, and lifestyle of Eastern Nigeria.”
She noted that the exhibition is being held at the Public Works Department Hall, Old Secretariat, Enugu, built in 1928 — a historically significant venue provided by the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS).
“We are a community that thrives on knowledge sharing, skill building, and connection with local communities to contribute to their development while fostering collaboration with the global creative community,” she added.
“This edition explores the impact of these legacies on our cultural identity, our interaction with them in the present, and how we carry these memories into the future.”
Declaring the festival open, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Mr. Ekene Nnamani, commended the organisers for staging such a historic event.
He assured that the state government would continue to support individuals and organisations contributing to the growth of culture and tourism in Enugu State.
“Our state is filled with beautiful places and people. I encourage residents and visitors to come and experience this exhibition of our forgotten sites and artefacts,” Nnamani said.
“I was delighted to see photographs of artefacts from my community, Amechi-Idodo. We need to tell our own stories, and I sincerely thank Chidera Sam-Eze and her team for creating this platform to explore the legacies that shape our cultural identity.”
Also speaking, Dr. Ijeoma Onyejekwe, Chief Heritage Officer of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, said that showcasing the culture of the people fosters understanding, love, and national unity.
“Presenting our cultural, historical, and artistic heritage through a collection of artefacts promotes education and cultural appreciation,” she said.
“I commend Chidera Sam-Eze, Founder of Art Focus Foundation and Curator of the Enugu Photo Festival, for this remarkable initiative, which runs until November 22.”
