The 2019 Ake Arts and Book Festival, is set to commence from the October 24th to 27th, at Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
Founded in 2013 by Lola Shoneyin, the Ake Arts and Book Festival is named after Aké, a town in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka, was born in 1934.
The four days festival, is a cultural immersion that engages writers, poets, critics, artists across the African continent. It aims to promote, develop and celebrate creativity on the continent.
Founder, Lola Shoneyin, said she “wanted a place where intellectuals and thinkers can come together and talk about African issues on African soil.
Activities for this year’s festival include; Panel Discussion, Book Chats, Poetry Performance, Film Screening, Readings and Tributes to Toni Morrison.
Set to be in attendance, are writers and artists spanning across various fields: Leila Aboulela, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Jumoke Verrissimo, Chika Unigwe, Helon Habila, Nnamdi Ehirim, Bernadine Evaristo, Tope Folarin and Bassey Ikpi, amongst others.
With interesting personalities in attendance and loads of activities lined up, the festival is set to be a memorable one.
For further information on the festival, click here.
By: Emeka Nwakobi
