Public Domain Day celebrated on January 1st each year marks a turning point where cultural treasures—protected by copyright for decades—enter the public domain. These works are no longer bound by copyright restrictions, enabling everyone to freely access, use, and reimagine them. The public domain represents the collective cultural inheritance of humanity. Once works enter this realm, they can be freely used for teaching, remixing, archiving, and creating new works without copyright limitations. This open access fuels innovation empowers storytellers and allows communities to connect with their history in transformative ways. In 2025, it promises to be an inspiring celebration, highlighting a rich array of works from around the globe, including contributions from Africa’s vibrant cultural heritage.
This year, we at Free Knowledge Africa (FKA) are thrilled to shine a spotlight on these creative treasures, exploring how they enrich our collective culture and inspire new possibilities for creators worldwide.
Existing Public Domain Works: A Foundation of Creativity
The public domain already includes timeless masterpieces from literature, music, film, and art that have fueled generations of creativity. Works like Shakespeare’s plays, Beethoven’s symphonies, and classic folktales are part of this vast shared heritage. In Nigeria, traditional proverbs, folk songs, and oral histories form the backbone of the public domain, preserving cultural narratives and fostering knowledge exchange. One example is the work of Bobby Benson, whose iconic song “Taxi Driver” (1960), already in the public domain, continues to inspire remixes, adaptations, and research into Nigeria’s music history. Similarly, traditional highlife compositions have long been used as the basis for contemporary Afrobeat and Afropop hits.
Highlights from Nigerian Artists:
- Orlando Owoh
Albums such as “Aiye Reti Eleya” (1970) and “Mawole” (1972), along with numerous hit tracks, are now freely available. Owoh’s highlife tunes are iconic and provide a treasure trove for contemporary musicians and cultural historians. - Fela Anikulapo Kuti
Several landmark albums, including “Water No Get Enemy” and “Expensive Shit” (1975), join the public domain. These works define Afrobeat’s legacy, offering inspiration for musicians and cultural commentators alike. - J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere
Known for his stunning photographic documentation of Nigerian hairstyles. Works like “Modern Suku” (1975) and “Mkpuk Eba” (1974) open a window into the artistry of Nigerian fashion and identity. - Victor Uwaifo
With tracks like “Ekassa 75” and albums such as “Ekassa Super 74”, Uwaifo’s blend of highlife and storytelling is now accessible to educators, researchers, and musicians.
The photographic works of J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, known for his intricate documentation of Nigerian hairstyles and cultural identity, also enter the public domain in 2025. Masterpieces such as “Modern Suku” (1975) and “Mkpuk Eba” (1974) offer valuable insights into Nigeria’s cultural traditions and are now available to inspire a new generation of creators and researchers.
These works are not just historical relics—they are opportunities to revisit, reinterpret, and bring new meaning to cultural creations.
Why Public Domain Day is Important
Public Domain Day is an occasion to celebrate how cultural works shape the present and future. The importance of the public domain lies in its potential to:
- Spark New Creativity: These works provide a foundation for remixing, reinterpreting, and reimagining stories, songs, and art forms in new ways.
- Support Education: Free access to iconic works ensures that educators, students, and researchers can incorporate them into learning experiences without legal barriers.
- Preserve Cultural Heritage: By making works available to everyone, we ensure they are preserved for future generations while remaining relevant in today’s cultural dialogues.
What Free Knowledge Africa Is Doing
At Free Knowledge Africa, we’re leveraging the power of the Day and celebration to advance our mission of preserving and promoting Africa’s rich cultural heritage. Here’s how we’re celebrating it this year:
- Digitizing and Documenting African Works
FKA is working to digitize and upload public domain works to platforms such as Wikimedia Commons and showcasing them on publicdomain.ng. These efforts ensure that these treasures are accessible to anyone, anywhere. - Public Domain Day Event
As we have done in 2022, 2023 and 2024. We would host a hybrid event featuring panel discussions with cultural historians, live remixing sessions with musicians, and exhibitions showcasing some of the works entering the public domain. - Educational Campaigns
Our campaigns aim to teach communities about the value of public domain works and how to use them responsibly and creatively. Through workshops, webinars, and social media outreach, we’re sparking a dialogue on open knowledge. - Collaborations and Partnerships
We’re partnering with institutions, cultural organizations, and creators to amplify the reach of public domain works. By fostering collaborations, we ensure these resources are used to their fullest potential.
How You Can Support
We believe everyone can play a role in celebrating Public Domain Day and supporting the public domain. Here’s how:
- Join Our Event: Participate in our Public Domain Day celebration to learn how to engage with these newly accessible works.
- Volunteer: Help us digitize, annotate, or share public domain works.
- Donate: Your financial contributions support our work in preserving and promoting African cultural heritage.
- Spread the Word: Share the importance of the public domain with your community and networks.
A Celebration of Cultural Freedom
Public Domain Day is not just about honouring the past. It’s about creating a future where culture is free to thrive. As more works enter the public domain, the opportunities for creativity, education, and cultural connection expand exponentially. At Free Knowledge Africa, we’re proud to lead the charge in celebrating and utilizing these works to empower communities. Together, we can unlock the treasures of the past to inspire the creators of tomorrow.
