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The inaugural edition of Cultural Iris is set to debut in Ibadan, Nigeria, bringing together literature, photography, fashion, storytelling, and cultural dialogue under the bold theme, “My Identity No Be Joke.”
Curated by Mary Nweke, founder of Audrey Publishers, the multidisciplinary platform explores identity through storytelling, visual expression, memory, and lived experience. Positioned as more than a conventional festival, Cultural Iris is designed to be a long-term cultural ecosystem that connects creatives, institutions, media organisations, and audiences through artistic engagement and contemporary African narratives.
As part of the initiative’s growing network of collaborators, ROUNDCHECK has joined Cultural Iris 2026 as a partner, supporting conversations around identity, youth engagement, media literacy, and authentic storytelling. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to cultural dialogue, public engagement, and responsible storytelling within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
The first phase of Cultural Iris, titled The Cultural Conversation, will take place on June 12–13, 2026, at the National Museum of Unity. The two-day opening event will feature cross-disciplinary panel sessions, institutional conversations, audience engagement, networking opportunities, media interactions, and broader discussions centred on identity and storytelling.
The opening event will also officially mark the commencement of submissions for the main Cultural Iris Festival scheduled for October 2026. According to organisers, submissions between June and August 2026 will be accepted across writing, photography, and fashion, with selected creatives to be featured during the October festival in Ibadan.
The October festival is expected to feature book fairs, book launches, photography exhibitions, fashion showcases, panel discussions, creative networking sessions, audience engagement activities, and awards recognising emerging and established creatives.
Organisers noted that the photography exhibitions will also extend into collaborative cultural spaces, including the Tunde Odunlade Art Gallery, further deepening public engagement with visual storytelling and cultural preservation.
Through its partnership with Cultural Iris 2026, ROUNDCHECK reinforces its support for initiatives that shape conversations about creativity, culture, emerging African narratives, and youth participation in public discourse.
