The National Arts Theatre is not only one of the greatest architectural masterpiece but the major center for performing art in Nigeria too. This makes it a major attraction of locals living within Nigeria and tourists from across the globe.
The National Arts Theatre is located in Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. On the 24th of April, 1973, a contract was signed by General Yakubu Gowon during his military regime for the construction of the National Arts Theatre by a Bulgarian construction company known as Techno-exportsroy of which a Nigerian named Alhaji Sule Katagum was their chairman and co-owner at the time. After being constructed, the building started being used by late 1975. On the 30th of September, 1976, though, the National Arts Theatre was officially opened by General Olusegun Obasanjo during his own military regime in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture which was to be held in in the preceding year.
Then, the Festival of Arts and Culture began on the 15th January, 1977 and ended on the 12th February, 1977. Due to the event’s acronym and and the year it was organized in the 19’s, it was nicknamed “FESTAC 77” but was also referred to as African Festival of Arts and Culture and Second World Black. It was a major international festival which was held in the National Arts Theatre in Nigeria and it went down in the history books as one of the most memorable days in Nigeria. Since you might not have seen the building before, a description of the surroundings, exterior and interior would help you picture in your mind’s eye what the building really looks like to really ascertain whether it deserves the title of one of the best architectural masterpieces in the world.
The National Arts Theatre is surrounded by beautiful trees, attractive wall carvings, lush green plants, decorative sculptures, majestic horses, trimmed lawn, submerged bridges, lanes and tranquil lakes. This serene environment makes it an ideal picnic site for picnickers to have a picnic or for people to just take a relaxing evening stroll. Although, this environment seems like paradise, it is merely an adornment to the architecture of the theatre itself.
The National Arts Theatre has an outstanding exterior. The building measures 31 metre high and was built on 23000 square metres of land (which is approximately the size of 375 cricket pitches)! But what makes the building so astonishing is the shape of the building. So what shape does this building have that makes it stand out from any regular building? Well, the National Arts Theatre is shaped like a military hat! This is a rather strange shape for a building which is what makes it outstanding. If you still need more conviction on the reason this building deserves the title of one of the best architectural masterpiece in the world, we have to go inside to see the dazzling interior of this building.
Inside this interesting building you would find very impressive, state-of-the-art facilities. The theatre houses two cinema halls, a conference hall which can seat roughly 800 people, and an auditorium with a collapsible stage which can seat 5000 people. This large seat capacity is nice but do you know that all these compartments have facilities which can simultaneously translate all that is said into 8 different languages? This is truly impressive! Although, those are not the only compartments in the National Arts Theatre. There is still a bar and a restaurant. Finally, a section of this building houses the collection of the National Gallery of Modern Nigerian Arts. So what do you think about it now?
Every great painting has a painter, every great sculpture has a sculptor so also, every great architecture has an architect. We stare in awe at there works and say that the creator is very talented. So who do we have to thank for designing and constructing this building? Well, a masterpiece like this is not a one man’s feat. The architect of this monument is a Bulgarian named Stefan Kolchev. While, the monument was built by a Bulgarian construction company called Techno-exportsroy. The National Arts Theatre resembles the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria which was constructed before it that is in the year 1968. They have a resemblance due to the fact that they were both designed by the same architect. Still, the National Arts Theatre is the bigger of the two and unique in Africa this is why we so adore this architectural masterpiece.
In summary, we have heard of the history, environment, exterior, interior and the builders of the National Arts Theatre which all contribute to it being not just any masterpiece, but one of the best architectural masterpiece in the world!
