Africa Writes 2012 - London, SOAS, June 30 - July 1

The Royal African Society (RAS) in London organises every every year a brilliant event called Africa Writes - a literature and book festival celebrating contemporary African writing, and for 2012 it begins soon.

"Africa Writes aims to enhance coverage and discussion about African literature and writers in London - and the UK, by extension - showcasing established and emerging literary talent from Africa and the Diaspora during a weekend-long series of events, including book launches, readings, panel discussions, children's workshops and other activities:, RAS explains on its website.

The festival will also feature a two-day international book fair of publishers of African writing and an outdoor pan-African food market featuring dishes from all four corners of the continent.

This year Africa Writes will mark the 50^th anniversary of the African Writers Series and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - author of Half a Yellow Sun and winner of the Orange Prize for fiction - will be delivering the main lecture focusing on the legacy of the series. 

Other confirmed authors taking part in the festival include: Ellen Banda-Aaku, Nuruddin Farah, Kojo Laing, Lily Mabura, Jack Mapanje, Obi Okigbo, Noo Saro-Wiwa, E. E. Sule, Goretti Kyomuhendo and the five shortlisted Caine Prize writers for 2012, namely Rotimi Babatunde, Billy Kahora, Stanley Kenani, Melissa Tandiwe Myambo, and Constance Myburgh. 

Participating poets include: Modeste Hugues, Oxmo Pucion, Kety Nevyabandi Bikura, Shalija Patel, T.J. Dema, Paul Dakeyo, Bewketu Seyoum, Abdulahi Botaan Hassan 'Kurweyne', Warsan Shire, Sam Elmi, Elmi Ali, Inua Ellams,Yemisi Blake, Safia Elhillo, Mariama Khan, Togara Muzanenhamo, and Lemn Sissay.

On Sunday, 1st July, panel discussions will be held on the current publishing landscape for contemporary African writing and the phenomenon of "Writing Away from Home", which affects so many African writers living in the Diaspora. 

The festival's closing event will be Word from Africa, part of Poetry Parnassus at the Southbank Centre (Sunday, 1st July, 6-10pm).

All events are free and open to the public except for the Chimamanda lecture and Caine Prize event.

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Infos:

Africa Writes 2012

30 June, 2012 - 01 July, 2012 

 

          Where:

SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square - London,WC1H 0XG 

 

http://www.royalafricansociety.org/events/details/1173-africa-writes-2012.html