Osun-Osogbo Festival 2013 holds in August

Osun Osogbo Festival. Photo from Create Space

Preparations for this year’s Osun Osogbo festival have reached an advanced stage. The annual festival, recognized by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), according information made available to Daily Newswatch, will commence on August 12 with the clearing of traditional paths to the Osun Grove, followed by the departure of the maid Arugba-Osun from the shrine with a calabash on August 23.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Infogem Ltd, official marketers of the festival, Chief Ayo Olumoko, members of the Performing Musicians Association (PMAN) are set for the rite of cleansing and blessing that the festival symbolises.

While speaking with journalists in Lagos recently, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, revealed that Osun Osogbo festival is a leading cultural festival which tourists could learn a lot from. He gave a brief history of the origin of the festival, assured visitors that this year’s event would be interesting. He also expressed gratitude to Osun State Government and many business organsations for their enormous contribution towards the success of the yearly event.

In his speech, the Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Tourism and Culture, Mr. Ladi Soyede, said the state is ready to welcome visitors from the entire world in this year’s festival and assured them a hitch-free outing.

He revealed that a film titled Osunfunke, sponsored by the government and produced by first female talking drummer, Ara, would be premiered during the festival.

A lot of activities lined up for this year’s celebration among others include: cultural display, musical shows and other interesting shows.

Among top musicians slated to thrill tourists with their songs include apala music star, Musiliu Haruna-Isola during the Atupa Oloju Merindinlogun (lighting of the 16-eyed lamp) event. Other special features in this year’s event include the introduction of art exhibition, musical concert, football competition, golfers’ cocktail night and health talks.

This event’s official sponsors include MTN, Nigeria Breweries and Grand Oak.