FUNKE OSAE-BROWN

Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) is billed to host the first edition of African Culture and Design Festival in conjunction with International Federation of Interior Designs and Architect (IFI), a global association of interior designers around the world.

The event which will take place in Lagos from November 9 to 12, 2017, will offer a good platform for interior designers across the world especially Africa to showcase their talents.

Titi Ogufure, president, IDAN, said at a press conference to announce the event that the theme, ‘This Is Africa’ is to show the world what truly Africa is.

“Many times, when we go to international fair, they would tell us how Africa is,” she explained. “But we want to show the world who we really are. We are thrilled to host this event. We are a young industry and for us, it is a great opportunity to showcase what Africa is.”

Shashi Caan, vice president, IFI, said IFI has decided to partner with IDAN on the project to promote the very best of African designs and art.

“We are concerned with the quality of designs and we want to promote initiatives and programmes that bring people and the international community together. The general assembly is a business meeting of IFI, the congress will be hosted by IDAN. The theme of the business meeting is: ‘World Class Design in Regional Market; Interior Architecture Design for the Future: Total Human Space’.”

Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, vice president IDAN, said IDAN is expecting to host 110 nations around the globe at the event in November. “We believe this is a boost for tourism in Lagos State. This is an opportunity to experience first time the very best of Lagos hospitality.”

Sebastiano Raneri, president, IFI, said it is a decision taken by IFI to hold the event for the first time in Africa. “We have noticed the input of IDAN in interior designs in Nigeria,” he said. “There is a huge number of designers in Africa. What Africa needs are investors who believe in the continent. What it means is that they have a great belief in this environment.”

Some of the African art collections from private collectors like Yemisi Shyllon, Femi Akisanya including modern and contemporary art by Peju Alatise alongside exquisite interior designs will be showcased at the event.