Amidst the chaos of Lagos is a park whose pulse vibrates arts, culture, and a painful history. Inaugurated in October 2010, Freedom Park shed its old skin of being known as the Broad Street prison grounds. Built in 1882 with mud and grass thatch, the prison building was reinforced with bricks 3 years later.
Persistent riots and arson attempts were attributed to anti-colonial activists who fought against the absence of freedom. Notable Nigerians who were incarcerated on this grounds include Herbert Macaulay, Obafemi Awolowo, and Lateef Jakande. All of this history was preserved by Theo Lawson, the architect who headed the team that transformed this former prison to a favorite park.
A museum of sorts, visitors to Freedom Park can take a self-guided tour of the grounds. Mornings and early evenings are perfect weather for a leisure walk with friends or alone. There are epigraphs and inscriptions that describe what each building or space was used for formerly. This attention to detail is remarkable and adds a layer of depth to the park.
Walk through the holding cells if you are not claustrophobic and take the time to observe the Freedom park ducks as they play. The restroom facilities are one of the cleanest among public spaces in the city and there are even more inscriptions adorning their walls.
Freedom Park is the home to hundreds of creatives and peace seekers who troop in daily. A combination of music, exhibitions, performances, and well-articulated tour exhibits hold an appeal that visitors find irresistible. School aged children can be observed rehearsing energetic choreographed dance moves at the park’s amphitheater grounds; well-manicured hedges provide a perfect backdrop for film directors shooting outdoor weddings scenes; while the galleries have hosted innovative exhibitions such as Ozoz Sokoh’s “Postcards from Lagos.” However Freedom Park’s most popular event remains the Ade Bantu led show, Afropolitan Vibes.
Every third Friday of the month, evening visitors are thrilled by acoustic sounds and eclectic performances delivered by the Afropolitan Vibes crew and guest artistes. Calabashes of palm wine fuel the cultural experience and guest revel in the no-frills atmosphere.
Both attendees and performers create new experiences in this transformed space. For the first time since its inception, there will be a 2-day Afropolitan Vibes music festival taking place at Freedom Park from Friday December, 16 to Saturday December, 17. Why not make this a weekend where you infuse arts, music, and history in your visit? Let the grounds relax, inspire, and entertain you.
