By Henry Akubuiro
For three days, authors, poets, artists, storytellers, dancers, actors, musicians and thinkers from all over Africa and beyond will converge on Lagos, Nigeria, for a cultural immersion at the 11th edition of the Aké Arts and Book Festival taking place on 23-25 November, 2023, at BON Hotel, Ikeja Residence.
Although the festival is not built around a theme, Lola Shoneyin, the Festival Director, who spoke at a press briefing at QUIDA Books, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, said, taking a cue from “the way it has occurred in previous years, we are adopting the theme of Blood Ties for the 2023 edition of Aké Review. The publication will explore the complexities of family, relationships, loss and togetherness.”
Once again, Aké Arts & Book Festival will be partnering with Sterling Group and Luminate “who have consistently supported our goal of celebrating and promoting creativity, while facilitating discussions that empower the youth.”
The Africa Rights Forum is a new introduction to the festival. The organisers explained: “To build the essential blocks that will enable African publishers to have a presence in the rights marketplaces of the world, we are introducing The Africa Rights Forum, which aims to train agents and editors in Nigeria and the African continent to navigate the global rights marketplaces.”
Stephanie Steiker will be joining from the United States, while Pierre Astier and Lucie Campos will be coming from France. Also, Emma Shercliff, who has a long history with Nigerian literature, will join from the United Kingdom, informed Shoneyin.
This year, Aké Festival is welcoming to Lagos six international festival directors –Willemijn Lamp, Lavina Frey, Kholod Saghir, Estefania Calanes Perez, Angeles Jurado and Teresa Grotan – who will be joining from The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Norway.
The guests “will have the opportunity to interact with the writers and artists at Aké Festival,” Soneyin said, adding, “following their experience, they will enjoy a special reception which has been organised in their honour,” said the organisers
The festival will also feature regular, stimulating panel discussions, which will cover a range of topics, ranging from Artificial Intelligence, African women in publishing to Nigeria’s gender wars. “Everyone leaves Aké Festival feeling enriched,” said the organisers.
Eleven book chats, which are in-depth interviews with writers about the themes they explore, their unforgettable characters and the magical worlds they build for us, will feature in the festival, too.
The authors include Petina Gappah, Umubyeyi Beata Mairesse, Bolu Babalola, Kojo Koram, Wole Talabi, Hemley Boum, Zukiswa Wanner, Kelechi Okafor, Bisi Adjapon, DK Nnuro, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Irene Muchemi, Gothataone Moeng, Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi, Nnamdi Ehirim, Ayanna Lloyd Banwo, Wanjiru Koinange, Abimbola Ishola, Stephen Buoro, Dipo Faloyin, Priya Hein and Olusegun Aganga.
Besides, Aké Festival will celebrate the cinematic excellence of a Netflix blockbuster. Hence, Femi Adebayo, director, producer and actor, will be chatting with Fadekemi Olumide-Aluko on the making of Jagun Jagun.
The highlight of the annual festival, the Palm wine and Poetry segment, promised to excite the audience – a segment described as “a dynamic blend of cultural elements, fusing traditional palm wine with the contemporary artistry of poetry.”
Shoneyin added: “This unique combination creates a relaxing atmosphere for festival-goers. Attendees can look forward to captivating performances by Deborah Johnson, Gbadamosi Servio and Tomilola Adeyemo Coco. Poet extraordinaire, Wana Udobang, will host this segment,” said Soneyin.
The festival, known for its commitment to showcasing diverse and outstanding talent, is set to captivate audiences with an evening of musical brilliance with Bantu Music, who will be playing known classics from the coast of West Africa.
Also, attendees will be tested on African books and authors, with lots of book prizes to give away, as well as merch from sponsors and partners of the festival.
This is a special event for women in publishing and an opportunity for women who aspire to pursue careers in publishing to meet leaders and mentors within the African publishing industry and beyond, sponsored by PublisHer.
The venue of the festival, BON Hotel, Ikeja Residence, is located at 51 Sobo Arobiodu Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.