Books are like Mirrors, Don’t just read the words, Go into the mirror. That’s where the real secrets are, inside, behind. That’s where the Gods dream, Where our realities are born. Ben Okri gives advice on what to read (and…
I am one on whom providence has worked its magic reversals. Behind me are silent stories, like a storm. I have worn History around my neck, like chains. Freedom is a difficult lesson to learn. I have tasted the language…
Ben Okri expounds and exalts “the genius of inner freedom” in this profound yet controversial article for The Guardian. From James Joyce to Homer, Okri argues that great literature transcends subject; the beauty of art giving the work a greater…
Trailer 'N - THE MADNESS OF REASON', a film by Peter Krüger - ENG SUBTITLES from INTI FILMS on Vimeo.
N is a story of an unusual obsession. It recounts the story of the Frenchman Raymond Borremans, who left Europe for Africa in the mid-20th century. He devoted his life to the creation of the first encyclopaedia of this other…
Below musician, Harper Simon and Ben Okri describe how they met and how Okri came to compose lyrics for Simon’s solo album, including the song, Wishes and Stars, featured in the video. Or did Simon compose the music for Okri’s words?…
In 2006, visual artists Yeast Culture created an animated journey through Ben Okri’s words for this visual expression of his poem. Perhaps he will give us a live reading at Africa Writes too.
Ben Okri: If I were king for a day my reign would be a walk in the park. If I had the power to impose my will, I would get people to walk more. We walk only when we have…