Africa is changing fast; politically, economically, socially, culturally. In art, music, film and literature, there is a flowering of imagination, ideas and genres - whole new ways of feeling about Africa and expressing its griefs and joys. So we at the Royal African Society have organised this celebration of new writing which also looks back to that first flowering of African literature with the establishment of the African Writers Series 50 years ago. We believe African writers have again reached new heights. We hope that from now on Africa Writes will become an annual fixture in the London calendar of African events.
The Royal African Society's inaugural literature and book festival takes place in London on Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG).
ABOUT AFRICA WRITES
Promoting contemporary African writing and writers, every year Africa Writes will showcase established and emerging literary talent from the continent and the Diaspora during a weekend-long series of events, including book launches, readings, panel discussions, children's workshops and other activities. The festival will also feature a two-day international book fair for publishers of African writing and an outdoor pan-African food market with dishes from around the continent.
PROGRAM
SATURDAY 30 JUNE 2012
12.00 - 12.15
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
A welcome and introduction by the Director of the Royal African Society, Richard Dowden
12.15 - 13.00
OPENING SESSION
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
NEW WRITING FOR A 'NEW AFRICA'?
Ellah Allfrey, Deputy Editor of Granta magazine, leads Ghanaian author B. Kojo Laing in conversation, discussing new writing in Africa and setting the scene for the festival.
13.00 - 13.30
BOOK LAUNCH
Brunei Suite
"How Shall We Kill the Bishop?" by Lily Mabura
Book launch with author Lily Mabura, chaired by Fiammetta Rocco (Literary Editor, The Economist).
14.00 - 14.30
BOOK LAUNCH
Brunei Suite
"Sterile Sky" by E. E. Sule
Book launch with author EE Sule, chaired by Dr Mpalive Msiska (Reader in English & Humanities, Birkbeck College).
15.00 - 16.30
EVENT
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
The 2012 Caine Prize authors meet their readers
Meet the 2012 Caine Prize Shortlisted writers, chaired by Tricia Wombell (Black Book News/Black Reading Group) and Jacqueline Auma (London Afro-Caribbean Book Club).
17.00 - 17.45
BOOK LAUNCH
Brunei Suite
"Crossbones" by Nuruddin Farah
Book launch with author Nuruddin Farah, chaired by Richard Dowden (Director, RAS)
18.00 - 19.30*
AFRICA WRITES LECTURE
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
Africa Writes 2012 Lecture
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The lecture will be introduced by James Currey (Chairman, Currey Publishers Ltd) and Becky Nana Ayebia Clarke MBE (Founder, Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd) and chaired by Ike Anya (co-founder, TEDxEuston).
SUNDAY 1 JULY 2012
12.00 - 13.00
WORKSHOP
BruneI Suite
STORY TIME!
Interactive story-telling for children aged 4-10 with Miso’shi (story-teller from Ghana).
12.00 - 12.30
BOOK LAUNCH
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
"Labyrinths" by Christopher Okigbo
Book launch led by Christopher Okigbo’s daughter, Obiageli Okigbo (Founder, the Christopher Okigbo Foundation), chaired by Lynette Lisk (Commissioning Editor, Pearson).
13.00 - 14.00
PANEL DISCUSSION
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
Publishing contemporary African Literature – challenges & opportunities
Panel discussion with Margaret Busby (writer, editor, critic, consultant and broadcaster), Becky Nana Ayebia Clarke MBE (Founder, Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd), and James Currey (Founder, James Currey - an imprint of Boydell & Brewer). Chaired by Wangui Wa Goro (translator, editor and writer).
14.30 - 15.30
PANEL DISCUSSION
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
Writing Away from Home
Ellen Banda-Aaku, Goretti Kyomuhendo and Noo Saro-Wiwa discuss the implications of living in the Diaspora and writing about ‘Home’, chaired by Hannah Pool (journalist, author and curator).
16.00 - 16.30
BOOK LAUNCH
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
"And Crocodiles Are Hungry At Night"
by Jack Mapanje
Malawian-born poet, university lecturer and former Amnesty prisoner of conscience Jack Mapanje talks about his memoir with Becky Nana Ayebia Clarke MBE (Founder, Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd).
18.00 - 22.00
CLOSING EVENT
Southbank Centre (Clore Ballroom)
WORD FROM AFRICA
Word from Africa 2012 celebrates the exciting culmination of the Poetry Parnassus and Africa Writes festivals. It's a rich jollof of poetry, storytelling and song, sautéed with performance and music!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Website: http://africawrites.org
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