Lola Shoneyin, director of Book Buzz Foundation, which organises the annual Ake Arts and Book Festival, has said its key aim is to create a space “where African intellectuals, who express our issues creatively can come together and have honest and constructive conversation about what it means to be African”.
She was speaking in Lagos at a media briefing for this year’s edition of the festival, now in its third year.
According to her, the festival will take place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, from November 17 to 21 and feature over 80 guests from Nigeria and beyond.
The theme, she stated, is ‘Engaging the Fringe’ and dialogue will focus on the genres and creative endeavour that do not get the same attention as art forms considered as mainstream.
“This year, we will also be exploring topics about African life and living in Africa in an honest, open and constructive way,” she explained.
Those who come, the organisers promise, will get a showcase of the very best of contemporary African literature, music, art, film and theatre, as the festival will feature eight book chats, three art exhibitions, one play, two in-depth interviews, school visits, 18 panel discussions, three documentary screenings, two film screenings and a poetry performance.
Among those expected at the festival are poet and writer, Professor Niyi Osundare; author and editor, Kunle Ajibade; Angolan writer and TV host, Imanni Da Sylva; Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai; Kadaria Ahmed, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, and Howard French of the New York Times.
