Saturday 5th March 2022
Venues across the University of Leeds
Curated by Khadijah Ibrahiim the day celebrates contemporary African writing and, in particular, the work of Wole Soyinka and his influence on the written word in activism performance.
Individual events are priced at £6 to attend
Limited £12 tickets are available to attend all day – Walk, Workshop, Panel Discussion
Presented in partnership with Africa Writes, the British Library, the Geraldine Connor Foundation, and the University of Leeds Centre for African Studies.
Activities on the day
Africa Writes – Leeds Black History Walk
10am -12pm
University of Leeds, Parkinson Building Steps, Woodhouse Lane
£6
The African presence in Yorkshire goes back two thousand years, when priests, soldiers and merchants operated in Roman York. The Leeds Black History Walk reveals Africa’s amazing history and insurmountable contributions to today’s British identity. The Leeds Black History Walk exposes unseen narratives of ancient and recent African history in order to provoke both questions and positivity to inspire all who take part.
Created by by Joe Williams.
The 2-hour walk take’s place around the University of Leeds campus and will be led by Joe Williams.
Open Workshop on Wole Soyinka’s Guerilla Theatre.
1.45 – 4.30pm
The Clothworkers Hall, University of Leeds
£6
This workshop looks at sketches from Nobel Prize winner and Leeds graduate Wole Soyinka’s Guerilla Theatre when in the 1960s he made political satire that played in the streets. The workshop will look at selected material and play with how sketches might be adapted for use in contemporary Britain.
The workshop will be facilitated by actor, playwright and TV star Tunde Euba, actor, drummer, percussionist and producer Tunji Falana and Jane Plastow, Professor of African theatre at Leeds University.
This workshop is open to all, 20 places available, no prior experience necessary. If you play an instrument and feel free to bringing it along.
Literature discussion panel
7 – 9pm
Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre, Michael Sadler Building, University of Leeds
£6
A panel of poets will explore contemporary African literature, of the diaspora, through reading, discussion, and performance. In particular celebrating the work of Wole Soyinka and his most recent novel ‘Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth’ (2021). Curated by Khadijah Ibrahiim, the event will feature poets including Jason Allen-Paisant, Malika Booker, Rommi Smith and more.
For tickets to the Literature discussion panel click HERE
For full day and workshop tickets click HERE