In 1977, Nigeria hosted the largest festival of African arts and culture there had ever been. Approximately half a million visitors attended, as well as 16,000 delegates—from Stevie Wonder to Miriam Makeba—representing dozens of African nationalities and the African diaspora globally. Headed by the military dictatorship of the time, Nigeria spent hundreds of millions of dollars hosting nation-wide events and building a new National Theatre and festival village in Lagos.
Among those attending was Viola Burley Leak, an African American artist and designer who came to exhibit her art work. She shares her experience of the spectacular opening ceremony and late night revelry with Louis Harnet O’Meara.
Among those attending was Viola Burley Leak, an African American artist and designer who came to exhibit her art work. She shares her experience of the spectacular opening ceremony and late night revelry with Louis Harnet O’Meara.