By Prosper Okoye
Sylvester Sede, founder of the Bayelsa Food and Art Festival, has joined creatives and organisers at the UK’s prestigious Festival of Making in Blackburn, exploring opportunities for international collaboration and cultural exchange.
Sede participated as a volunteer and observer, gaining hands-on experience in logistics, artist engagement, and event coordination. He said the visit provided fresh insights into festival management and audience development.
“It was inspiring to see how festivals can empower communities,” Sede noted. “I shared our Bayelsa journey with participants and learned practical ways to enhance our festival’s impact.”
During the visit, Sede met briefly with Festival of Making Director, Lauren Zawadzki, and presented a branded Bayelsa festival T-shirt as a gesture of goodwill. Conversations are reportedly underway about potential collaboration, particularly around creative exchange and programming support.
The Bayelsa Food and Art Festival—celebrating local food, craft, and culture—has become a growing platform for tourism and community identity in the Niger Delta. Organisers hope Sede’s international exposure will help professionalise its structure and expand its reach.
Though no formal partnership has been confirmed, the visit signals a significant step in positioning Bayelsa’s cultural assets for global recognition and future collaboration.
