Africa Writes 2014 opened with a heady mix of femininity, politics and poetry on 11th July when Warsan Shire, London’s Young Poet Laureate joined an exciting line-up of voices to reclaim the feminine voice in literature. The festival’s headline event…
The Caine Prize for African Writing is named in memory of the late Sir Michael Caine, former Chairman of Booker plc. Sir Caine was Chairman of Africa ’95 and Chairman of the Booker Prize management committee for almost 25 years….
Africa in Translation: Poetry in (e)motion Friday 11 July, 10:00 – 13:00 BL Conference Centre, FREE A three-panel symposium with critics and translators Wangui wa Goro, André Naffis-Sahely, Vusi Mchunu, Hany Rashwan, Dele Meiji Fatunla and award-winning poets Gabriel Okoundji…
Introducing ‘West Africa: Cultures of the Word’ Saturday 12 July, 11.00 – 11.50 BL Conference Centre, FREE Dr Marion Wallace, Curator of African Collections at the British Library, introduces the upcoming 2015 exhibition, ‘West Africa: Cultures of the Word’. Limited…
The Caine Prize 2014 Conversation Friday 11 July, 15:00 – 17:00 BL Conference Centre, FREE With Diane Awerbuck (South Africa), Efemia Chela (Ghana/Zambia), Tendai Huchu (Zimbabwe), Billy Kahora (Kenya), Okwiri Oduor (Kenya). Chaired by Delia Jarrett-Mcauley, award-winning writer and judge…
Chinua Achebe: Tributes & Reflections Sunday 13 July, 14:45 – 15:30 BL Conference Centre, FREE A tribute to the father of contemporary African literature marking the launch of Chinua Achebe: Tributes & Reflections with editors Nana Ayebia Clarke and James…
Literary Cross-dressing & the Diaspora Sunday 13 July, 13:45 – 14:45 BL Conference Centre, FREE Panel discussion with poets, performers, playwrights and screenwriters Inua Ellams, Nick Makoha, Ade Solanke and Bola Agbaje. Moderated by Sheila Ruiz, programme manager of The…
Broadening the Gaze: African & Diaspora Travel Writing in the 21st Century Saturday 12 July, 15:30 – 16:30 BL Conference Centre, FREE Panel discussion featuring Noo Saro-Wiwa, author of Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria; Justin Edwards, co-editor of Other Routes:…
KINTU by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi Saturday 12 July, 13:30 – 14:15 BL Conference Centre, FREE Book launch of Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi’s KINTU, winner of the 2013 Kwani? Manuscript Project. Chaired by Kate Haines, Associate Editor of Kwani Trust. In 1754,…
Foreign Gods, inc by Okey Ndibe Sunday 13 July, 13:00 – 13:45 BL Conference Centre, FREE Book launch of Okey Ndibe’s critically acclaimed novel, Foreign Gods, inc. Chaired by Richard Dowden, director of The Royal African Society. Foreign Gods, Inc. tells…