This year’s edition of Aké Arts and Books Festival has unveiled a new theme. Initially, the theme was Black Magic. But the new theme for the 8th edition of the festival is now African Time.
The new theme was revealed in a tweet on the festival’s twitter handle which reads: “Our world has changed forever. And when the world turns, we turn with it. The magnitude of recent world events cannot be ignored. We have therefore decided to change the theme for the 8th edition of Aké Arts & Book Festival to AFRICAN TIME.”
The inspiration for the new theme might have come from the recent Black Lives Matter protest in America. Aké Festival is, after all, popular for its passion for issues affecting black people around the world.
The festival organisers had announced on June 6 that as a result of the effects of the world-altering COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s edition would hold online. Founder Lola Shoneyin shared her excitement about it on Twitter.
Founded in 2012, Aké Festival brings together lovers of books and the arts through book readings and panel discussions; as well as poetry recitals, film screenings, theatre and musical performances, among others.
It has hosted Africa’s top writers including Wole Soyinka, Niyi Osundare, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Ama Ata Aidoo, Nuruddin Farah, and Tsitsi Dangarembga as headliners.
Source: The Culture Newspaper