In a remarkable cultural exchange that bridges Africa and Europe, Nigerian filmmakers Olushola Otori and Adolphus Opara have arrived in Austria as guests of the Susanne Wenger Foundation for a special screening and discussion of their film The New Sacred Art Movement.

Reports Selma Etareri, Ireho Aito | Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger! Photographs courtesy Selma Etareri

The event, scheduled for June 10, 2026, in Graz, Austria, offers audiences a rare opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of Osogbo and the enduring legacy of the Sacred Art Movement that transformed the artistic and spiritual landscape of south-western Nigeria.

According to Selma Etareri, who met the filmmakers during their visit, the invitation extends beyond the screening itself. Olushola Otori and Adolphus Opara who is widely known as a seasoned photographer will spend a week in Graz, the birthplace of the renowned Austrian-Nigerian artist and cultural icon Susanne Wenger, deepening conversations around the artistic and spiritual connections that Wenger fostered between Austria and Nigeria.

Etareri described her meeting with the filmmakers as inspiring, noting the value of cultural encounters that bring together people connected through shared artistic histories and friendships. She expressed hope that a large audience would attend the screening, describing it as a unique opportunity to learn more about Osogbo’s cultural heritage and the remarkable individuals who have contributed to its preservation.

For African audiences, the screening represents another important moment in the international recognition of the Osogbo art tradition. This is a movement that emerged from a creative dialogue between local artists, traditional Yoruba spirituality, and visionaries such as Susanne Wenger, whose work helped preserve the sacred groves and artistic heritage that continue to attract global attention today.

The visit also provided an opportunity for the filmmakers to connect with Austrian artist and cultural advocate Selma Etareri. During a dinner meeting in Graz, Etareri described the encounter as inspiring, noting her delight at discovering mutual friends and shared connections within Nigeria’s art community.

Selma Etareri is a ceramic artist whose work has increasingly fostered cultural exchanges between Austria and Nigeria, she welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the filmmakers’ work and the story they have brought from Osogbo. For Etareri, the screening represents a valuable chance for Austrian audiences to engage with one of Africa’s most significant artistic and spiritual traditions.

As the film travels beyond Nigeria’s borders, it serves as a reminder that African stories, when told with authenticity and passion, possess the power to inspire audiences across continents while strengthening cultural bonds between nations.

And for Graz, the event reconnects the city with one of its most celebrated daughters. For Nigeria, it is a proud affirmation that the story of Osogbo’s sacred artistic heritage continues to resonate on the world stage.

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