With over 23,000 expected visitors, 323 invited guests, and 202 events, Abeokuta, Ogun State will host writers, thinkers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, book lovers and art enthusiasts at the 4th edition of the Ake Arts and Book Festival 2016. The dates are 15-19 November and the venue is the Arts and Culture Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
“Beneath this Skin’’ is this year’s festival theme and the complexities of identities, aspirations, and desires will be addressed. Distinguished Professor, renowned writer, and literary icon Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o will headline the 2016 edition of Ake Arts and Book Festival. In conversation with Foreign Gods author, Okey Ndibe, he will discuss about his life, works, and his latest book Birth of a Dream Weaver.
The festival will also host 9 book chats which will feature 18 authors. Among the 18 are Alain Mabanckou, Helon Habila, Laila Lalami, Petina Gappah, Teju Cole, Panashe Chigumadzi, Tendai Huchu, Chinelo Okparanta, Noviolet Bulawayo, Jowhor Ile, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Odafe Atogun, Tade Thompson, andToni Kan.
There will be 12 stimulating panel discussions focused on identities, race, and gender, mental health in fiction, the rise and fall of African economies. Other exciting genres will be explored. Laolu Senbanjo whose “Sacred Art of the Ori” featured on Beyonce’s latest album Lemonade will create body art and exhibit his works alongside Fatima Abubakar who captures the lives of the people of Borno State in a stunning series of photographs.
Read also:https://clone.businessday.ng/?p=504980
A documentary, Hissene Habre: A Chadian Tragedy, will open up conversations on the horror inflicted on the Chadian people during Hissen Habre’s rule. A series of short films will be screened to celebrate this form of visual storytelling and the people who are fuelling its rapid growth in Nigeria.
For entertainment, an acoustic music concert will thrill visitors as Brymo, Falana, Adunni and Nefertiti will perform on stage. Iyalode of Ekiti is the 2016 stage drama and a lyrical theatrical experience you would not want to miss. Inspired by The Duchess of Malfi, attendees will see a classic tale retold with flavors curated from the Yoruba culture. Palm Wine and Poetry Evening returns with outstanding performances by, poets such as Titilope Sonuga, Lebo Mashile, Ogaga Ifowodo, Micheal Kelleher and Dike Chukwumerije. Attendees can enjoy the evening while sipping on a calabash of deliciously fresh palm wine
Several writing workshops on fiction, script-writing, and graphic short stories will be held during the festival and led by acclaimed writers such as Noviolet Bulawayo, Helon Habila, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Inya Lawal, Victoria Thomas, and Sebastian Loerscher.
Ake Arts and Book Festival is one of the most exciting cultural events on the continent. It is organized by the Book Buzz foundation. You can register here to get Early Bird discounted tickets or in person at the Ake Festival Registration Point from 15 November, 2016.
