Africa Writes Leeds has been produced in partnership with Africa Writes, the British Library, the Geraldine Connor Foundation, and the University of Leeds Centre for African Studies with sponsorship from Flutterwave. Curated by Khadijah Ibrahiim the day celebrates contemporary African writing and in particular the work of Wole Soyinka and his influence now on the written word in activism performance.

Activities throughout the day:

Africa Writes – Leeds Black History Walk

10am -12pm

University of Leeds, Parkinson Building Steps, Woodhouse Lane

The African presence in Yorkshire goes back two thousand years, when priests, soldiers, merchants operated in Roman York. The Leeds Black History Walk reveals Africa’s amazing history and insurmountable contributions to today’s British identity. The creation of the Leeds Black History Walk by Joe Williams exposes unseen narratives of ancient and recent African history in order to provoke both questions and positivity to inspire all who take part.

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

Studio 1, Workshop Theatre, University of Leeds

Nobel Prize winner and Leeds graduate Wole Soyinka has written a host of plays. This workshop looks at sketches from his 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 these dynamic, if a little dated, 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

A panel of poets 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 Susan Kiguili Jason Allen-Paisant, Malika Booker, Rommi Smith and Peter Kalu.

(please note, individual ticket for the Panel discussion are available directly from the Leeds Literature Festival website)

BOOK TICKETS