Ake Fest is this October and here is everything we know
It’s going to be another Ake Arts and Book Festival from the 22nd to the 25th of October, 2020. Get all the scoop here.
The Ake Arts and Book Festival or just Ake Fest is undoubtedly one of the biggest Art festivals that celebrates not just Nigerian art but Africa as a whole.
Founded in 2013 by Nigerian writer, Lola Shoneyin and co-organised by BookBuzz Foundation, it has over the years brought together over 700 artists, writers, poets, musicians, dancers, filmmakers, actors, and thinkers together to dialogue and celebrate creativity on the African continent through panel discussions, art exhibitions, workshops, storytelling, book chats, poetry performances, a concert, stage play and unforgettable films.
In January, the theme of this year’s which is the 8th edition was announced to be “Black Magic" and slated to hold in Lagos, Nigeria. But as a result of the pandemic, like most events this year, it is now going virtual and also rethemed, “African Time” which according to the organisers is in sync with everything happening.
“Africa must reject the old normal and seize the opportunity of the moment to recalibrate and break the cycle of betrayal by those elected to lead. This may be our last chance to shape Africa and define the continent of our dreams.
It may have come later than expected but, for the children of Africa everywhere, this is African Time.”
Ake Fest being virtual does not limit the magic it has for art enthusiasts. This year’s is pooling some of the best African creatives of this generation and the one before.
With promising names on the guest list like, Wole Soyinka, Zukiswa Wanner, Maaza Mengiste, Mohini Ufeli, Aduke Gomez, Desmond Cole, Esi Edugyan, Molora Wood, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, James Murua, Aleya Kassam, Toni Kan, Abi Dare, Richard Ali, Unoma Azuah, Mara Menzies, Nicole Dennis-Benn, Remi Vaughan-Richards, Vangile Gantsho, Ukamaka Olisakwe, Syn Osuchukwu, Remy Ngamije, Mukoma wa Ngugi, e.t.c. Nothing short of amazing should be expected.
See full guest list here.
What to Expect:
The beauty of art festivals are the programmes lined up for attendees. There is the art exhibition, the book chat, the author meet, the spoken word and poetry performances, the music, the drama, the film, name it. While Ake Fest 20’s full program as at the time of writing this isn’t out yet, here are some things to expect.
Ake Review
Ake Review is the annual publication of the Ake Arts and Book Festival. A call for submission was put out between June — July 17, 2020 where African creatives were invited to submit poetry, fiction, non-fiction and visual art exploring the theme.
The publication will be launched during the festival, and is another reason to look forward to it.
WS 20 for 20
The WS 20 for 20 is a special art exhibition by the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. In the course of the festival, Soyinka will share his thoughts on 20 pieces from the antiquities he has collected over six decades. The source, what they symbolise and much more.
African Time Art Exhibition
Art exhibitions are like a tradition in Ake Fest. Every year, stellar art pieces from African artists are exhibited. This year’s would be no different. Pieces that revolve around the theme “African Time” will be curated and displayed during the festival.
Bookchats
Bookchats are one of the highlights of Ake fest. Readers are provided an opportunity to have questions about their favorite books and authors answered. This year’s lineup of Ake Books include Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s Dreams and Assorted Nightmares, Abi Dare’s The Girl with the Louding Voice, Bolu Babalola’s Love in Colour, Mukoma wa Ngugi’s We, the Scarred, and a host of stellar books published this year.
Have a question on any of the books and you’ve been looking for an opportunity to have it answered? Mail it to Ake Fest here.
Festival Bookshop
Every year, Ake Fest stocks over 10,000 books, mostly by writers of African descent, about Africa and focusing on the black experience. Available at decent rates, attendees of the festival get to shop for books, virtual shopping this time, of several genres. Publishers who are looking to stock their books at the Ake Festival Bookstore should contact Ake Fest between 14-19 September 2020.
Film of the Festival
Take your popcorns to Ake.
The film of this year’s Ake Festival is Elder’s Corner. Elder’s Corner is a musical voyage of rediscovery told through the lives and work of Nigeria’s pioneering musicians. Directed by Siji Awoyinka, it will be screened during the festival.
Music
Expect musical performances from 10 Afrian artists in Nigeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Brazil, the UK, the US and South Africa. See line-up here.
Panel Discussions
The panel conversations is always something to look forward to every Ake Fest. It provides a space for healthy conversations on a number of topics. This year’s range from a discussion on post-COVID-19 mental health crisis to leadership in Africa to queer writing to racism and colourism to feminism, e.t.c.
If you’ve questions you’d love to be treated on any of the conversations, mail it to Ake Fest.
Poetry
What’s an art festival without poetry? This year’s edition has been curated by Wana Udobang. There will be poetry performances/recitations from different countries in Africa. See line-up here.
Storytelling
We get to feel the rich storytelling of Mara Menzies and Usifu Jallow as they grace the virtual state with their griot tales.
Workshop
As much as art festivals can be entertaining, they can as well be educating. There will be workshops facilitated by experts on YA Writing, Poetry Translation, Digital Skills for 21st Century Writers, e.t.c. Find out more information here.
The year has been a challenging one but like always, we are grateful to Literature for the escapes and we are certain Ake will bring with it the needed calm we’ve been craving.
Get a front seat at Ake already by registering for free here.
If you’re around Ouida Bookstore in Lagos on any of the days of the festival, you could stop by. There will be a viewing center there that strictly follows the recommended COVID-19 safety measures. See here.
Follow Ake Fest on Twitter for more updates.
