The Chalewote Street Art Festival, a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture in Accra, has grown to become a global sensation.
Its founder, Mantse Aryeequaye in a candid interview with Caleb Nii Boye on 3FM, shared that the festival has moved from obscurity to international recognition.
Aryeequaye emphasized that Chalewote didn’t gain significant recognition until around 2015.
“When we started Chalewote, nobody cared about it until 2015. We have more consistent press intentionally than what we do locally. When you go online and you read articles that have been written on chalewote, they have been done by non-Ghanaians.
“We had to create our own outlet because when we started ChaleWote, we didn’t have money for advertising. I remember we walked into one of the media houses and got a rate card and I came to tell my people that if we should go through this channel, this thing will not happen. So, we used social media heavily,” he pointed out.
The early days of Chalewote were marked by a widespread lack of interest. Aryeequaye encouraged listeners to be more inquisitive about events happening in their communities.
He highlighted the importance of asking questions and seeking understanding, especially for activities that might seem unusual or unfamiliar.
“When something is happening in your community and you do not understand it and the people are not far away; some who even have proximity to the event, you just ask questions. Let’s be more forward and imaginative in how we perceive things that we supposedly find unusual in our community,” he suggested.
He pointed out that media coverage of the festival was more substantial on an international scale compared to local coverage.
The festival’s unique and innovative approach to showcasing art and culture often raised eyebrows and generated misunderstanding.
Aryeequaye acknowledged the initial lack of understanding and discontent surrounding Chalewote, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and curiosity to bridge the gap between unfamiliar concepts and the community.
“There was a large discontent about it. People were thumbing their nose at it when you could just ask questions because clearly, people didn’t understand and up until now, people still don’t get what Chalewote is all about thoroughly,” he added.
Chalewote Street Art Festival has evolved into a dynamic platform that embraces diversity, creativity, and cultural exchange.
It has become a beacon of artistic expression that attracts participants and visitors from around the world.
While the journey to recognition wasn’t without its challenges, Mantse Aryeequaye’s commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting art in all its forms has propelled Chalewote to the global stage.
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