By Henry Akubuiro
Two years after it was held virtually, no thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, Africa’s biggest literary fiesta, Ake Arts and Book Festival, will be making a physical return.
Contrary to earlier information that the 10th anniversary edition would be returning to Abeokuta, it would be taking place in Ikoyi, Lagos, on 24-26, November, 2022, “considering the convenience and safety of our international guests,” said the Festival Director, Lola Shoneyin, at a press conference at Ouida Books, Ikeja, Lagos.
The 2021 winner for the Nobel Prize in Literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah, who was a virtual guest last year, will be attending this year’s festival in Lagos physically as a special guest. Joining him is the Ivorian writer, Veronique Tadjo, who was born in Paris, grew up in Abidjan and now lives in South Africa.
The award winning writer has published nine books, including As the Crow Flies (2001), The Shadow of Imama (2002), Queen Pokou (2005), and Far from My Father (2014).
The theme of this year’s festival is Homecoming. In choosing the theme, Shoneyin said: “Our African roots influence our Art and our creative expression, but, as we mitigate and settle around the globe, these bonds may weaken with time, so this makes the ritual of homecoming particularly significant. We are very excited to welcome creatives of African descent to Lagos State for Africa’s biggest literary festival.”
The festival is organised in partnership with Sterling and Luminate. Over 100 guests from all parts of the world have been invited to the festival, whose needs organisers assured, would be catered to “in the Ake way”.
According to the Festival Director, “We spare no expense in ensuring that our guests’ time with us is enriching. It makes us proud when our guests tell us that the Ake Festival is the most hospitable festival in the world. This is excellent feedback because it has always been important to us that they feel valued and cherished.”
For three days, the festival will enrich participants with 12 stimulating panel discussions on a range of topics from brain drain to climate action, economic growth, telling our own stories, emerging feminist identities, and sexual resolutions.
There will also be book chats, which will feature Zukiswa Wanner, Tendai Huchu, Jennifer Makumbi and Nnedi Okoroafor, while Abdulrazak Gurmah will be in conversation with veteran Nigerian journalist, Kunle Ajibafe. (full details of the programme are available at akefestival.org).
Also, on the 22nd and 23rd, November, 2022, Ake Festival will host the 2nd conference of the Global Association of Literary Festivals, which will draw participants from all parts of the world.