Osun Osogbo Festival: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
...We are celebrating Yoruba culture, fostering sustainable development and global cultural exchange –Chief Oyawale Bolarinwa
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a cultural landscape of an Undisturbed forest near the city of Osogboland in Southwestern Nigeria. Research shows that improved maintenance has helped preservation efforts, but Urban development continues to threaten this Unique landscape.
A new hub of Artistic activities dedicated to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, the area was established more than four centuries ago and is also the region’s largest surviving sacred grove.
The Osun River meanders through the protected area, with sanctuaries and shrines erected along its course. In the twentieth century, the research also confirmed that the new sacred art movement invigorated efforts to protect the Grove, and modern sculptural additions enhance the spiritual significance of the site.
Led by Susanne Wenger (1915 – 2009), an artist and Yoruba Priestess, the new sacred art movement transformed Osogbo into a hub of Artistic activity and new ideas about contemporary African art. In 2005, the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove was designated a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
Countdown to 2025 Osun Osogbo Festival, the most cultural story ever told which will start from July 28th – August 8th, 2025, according to a renowned and worldwide traditionalist Chief Oyawale Alao Bolarinwa, the Baba Oloya of Osogboland who doubled as Babalawo ifa Osadi Temple from Jagun Oderinlo Compound Osogbo, who is also the Proprietor/CEO, JEKAYINFA ART & CULTURE INSTITUTE said 2025 Osun Osogbo Festival will begin with ifa Ojodu followed by ifa Oba Loja which is Iyere ifa, Iwo Popo, Olojumerindinlogun and the grand finale Osun Osogbo Festival which will witness who is who across the world including tourists from different countries.
Chief Oyawale Alao stressed further that the fifth day after the Osun Osogbo Festival will finally end the festival activities with Ese (Akeserodo).
Chief Oyawale Alao Bolarinwa also said, Osun Osogbo Festival, fondly called Olomoyoyo, is very strong spiritually and always rescues people from danger and provides children for the worshippers and her believers. He used the opportunity to congratulate His Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Larooye II, the Ataoja of Osogboland, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State, and the Iya Osun of Osogboland for the coming 2025 Osun Osogbo Festival.
