From Borno to the Golden Globes: Maryam Hassan Bukar Takes Arewa Stories to the Global Stage
Poet and advocate Maryam Hassan Bukar has celebrated her journey from Borno State in Northern Nigeria to the international stage, following her attendance at the Golden Globes Silk Road Tribute Gala in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Bukar attended the event as part of the TIME Africa delegation, describing the experience as more than a moment of glamour. For her, it was an opportunity to witness the growing place of culture, creativity and storytelling in global conversations.
Reflecting on the experience, she highlighted the connection between the historic Silk Road and the role of modern creative industries in bringing people and nations together.
For centuries, the Silk Road linked civilisations through trade, knowledge and cultural exchange. Today, she observed, cinema, music and storytelling continue that tradition by building bridges across borders and introducing people to different identities and experiences.
As an African artist, Bukar said the experience reinforced her belief that the creative economy goes beyond entertainment. It also plays an important role in shaping identity, creating opportunities, influencing global conversations and allowing people to tell their own stories.
She also emphasised the importance of nations embracing international engagement while preserving their cultural identity, noting that the future of storytelling should not be limited to those who have traditionally controlled the global spotlight.
Her attendance at the gala was particularly meaningful because of her personal journey from Borno State to an international gathering celebrating creativity and cultural exchange.
For Bukar, whose words have reached audiences beyond the place where her journey began, the moment represented the power of art to cross geographical and cultural boundaries.
Her experience also reflects the growing opportunity for African creatives to contribute to international conversations, share their perspectives and present their communities to the world through their work.
From Borno to Tashkent, Bukar’s journey carries a message about the importance of representation and the ability of stories to travel beyond borders without losing their roots.
As she reflected on the occasion, her message remained clear: the stories are still travelling, and African voices deserve a place on the global stage.
From Borno to the Golden Globes: Maryam Hassan Bukar Takes Arewa Stories to the Global Stage