The sixth edition of the Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop led by acclaimed writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc closed on Thursday, August 21, with a huge party of sorts.
Some participants at the workshop
The 32 writers, fresh from two weeks of intensive classroom instruction in the craft of writing, got the opportunity to unwind at the gathering which held at the Ball Room of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Adichie and two of the other three instructors were also there. Nigerian author and COO of Kachifo Ltd., Eghosa Imasuen, as well as Kenyan writer and co-founder of Kwani, Binyavanga Wainana. Norwegian non-fiction maestro, Aslak Myre, one of the instructors, had to leave the country before the party started.
To set the ball rolling for the evening, Efe Paul Azino, a participant at last year’s edition and performance poet, recited his poem titled ‘Words’ to the accompaniment of stirring dance.
The annual event, which had Olisa Adibua as compere for the night, soon had Adichie present a moving speech about why she started the workshop: so that writers can find a safe place to do what they love doing.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NB, Nico Vervelde, equally made a moving speech on why the company supports not just the workshop but also many other corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in the country.
But more moving was the 10-year-old Chukwuemeka Obi-Obasi’s tribute to the late author, Chinua Achebe, titled ‘Nna Anyi, and his recitation of Wole Soyinka’s poem, ‘Telephone Conversation’.
Then there was the presentation of certificates to the participants and the discussion by Adichie, Wainana and Imaseun that turned into fireworks at a point; thanks to a guest who wanted to know why there were not many Southern Nigeria participants.
But there was more to come with singer Phyno performing and Adichie signing her books.
Among the guests at the event were former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; former Fidelity Bank boss, Reginald Ihejiahi; former Sunday Editor of The Guardian, Jahman Anikulapo; former Minister of Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia; and actress, Tina Mba.
A day before, 12 finalists emerged in the NB Plc-sponsored seventh edition of the National Art Competition (NAC). Organised by the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), the 12 include Ada Umeofia, Emmanuel Dudu, Ike Francis, Paul Mbah, Nkechi Ebubedike, Erasmus Onyishi, Pwavidon Mathias and Tyna Adebowale.
Others are Modupeola Fadugba, Okafor Amarachi, Priscilla Nwanah and Jacqueline Suowari.
This year’s edition of the competition, which aims to promote the development of contemporary African art and raise awareness of social issues through the use of creative artistic expression, has ‘Interventions’ as theme.
According to the organisers this year, there were “unprecedented number of strong, conceptually sophisticated entries, proposing a variety of artistic practices in response to the theme”.
After the retreat, finalists will have the subsequent four months to execute their final projects. The NAC team will conduct studio visits with finalists to monitor progress and provide feedback.
The Grand Finale and Judging Ceremony will take place on November 22 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. A judging panel of distinguished arts professionals led by Professor El Anatsui will deliberate and select the final three who will take home N2 million cash, solo exhibition at AAF and a roundtrip, and three-night stay at Hilton Hotel, Dubai.
Winners of the Outstanding Concept and the Outstanding Production categories will take home N1 million each.
