Literature under the rock at Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta

ADA DIKE

 

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (4th right); his wife Mrs. Olufunso (3rd right); AABF Director, Lola Shoneyin (5th right) and others at the official opening of AABF last week in Ogun State

The second edition of Ake Arts and Book Festival, which brought together literary enthusiasts, writers, students from different parts of the world and celebrated panel discussion, book chat, dance, music, paintings, drama, film and documentary proved that the festival is indeed at the forefront in promoting literacy, arts and culture in Nigeria.

The festival, which took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State from November 17 to 21, 2014 brought was a meeting point for who-is-who in literary world including the author of widely acclaimed novels – ‘Foreign Gods and Arrows of Rain, Okey Ndibe from the United States of America; a novelist of African-based science fiction, fantasy and magical realism, Nnedi Okorafor (USA); poet and fiction writer, Yejide Kilanko (Canada); novelist and chief operations officer of Kachifo Limited, Eghosa Imasuen (Lagos); performance poet, Efe Paul Azino (Lagos), fiction writer, Kelechi Njoku (Lagos), author of ‘Yellow Yellow’, NLNG Prize for Literature winner and columnist, Kaine Agary (Lagos); author of ‘Indigo’ Molara Wood (Abuja), fiction writer, Nze Sylva (Lagos) and  initiator of the Garden City Literary festival and the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi (Port Harcourt).

Others are: Assistant Professor of English at Cornel University, son of Kenya’s literary and social activist, Ngugi wa Thiong'o and crime fiction novelist, Mukoma Wa Ngugi; Liberian crime fiction author, Hawa Jande Golakai; author of the critically acclaimed Peter Grants/Rivers of London urban fantasy series, Ben Aaronovitch (London, UK); writer, film producer and publicist, Vera Botterbusch (Frankfurt, Germany) and author, lecturer and director of the Caine Prize, Lizzy Attree. 

Also, film producer and director, Tunde Kelani (Nigeria); film producer and director, Kunle Afolayan (Lagos); Nigerian-German musician, producer and activist, Ade Bantu; Dramatist, Qudus Onikeku who performed ‘My Exile Is In My Head’ alongside Ese Brume and others were at the festival.

The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, his wife Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, and the wife of former Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, attended the opening ceremony of the festival.

During the official opening of the one-week festival, the festival director, Lola Shoneyin, said the literary festival, Ake Arts and Book Festival, was organised to promote literacy.

“First, I thank those of you who gave us feedback after our first outing in 2013.  …Apart from the visits, we have more school events onsite as part of our mission to engage students and young people in cultural activities,” she said.

True to her words, many interesting films including ‘Yeepa!’ produced by renowned film director, Tunde Kelani and ‘October 1’ produced by Kunle Afolayan were screened. Also, documentaries including ‘The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo’ by Yaba Badoe were screened.

There were Masters Classes in Science Fiction Writing with Stella Duffy and Ben Aaronovitch, Documentary Making Master Class with Emmanuelle Mougne and Devising theatre from Page to the Naked Stage with Femi Elufowoju, Jr. also took place at this year’s festival.

A Photo exhibition themed: ‘In The Lions Liar’ which displayed many photographs of Prof. Wole Soyinka by Victor Ehikhamanor showcased Kongi, his country home in the outskirt of Abeokuta, his library,  book shelves, sculptures, paintings and his booths he wears when he goes to hunt animals in the bush was quite appealing.

Also, there was another photo exhibition ‘View and Secrets vom Abeokuta, an Isara by a writer, film producer and publicist, Vera Botterbusch. Sponsored by the German Consulate, this exhibition unveiled different pictures of places and people of Isara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Vera took about 15 years ago.

Panels of discussion were thought-provoking and educative. The event was an avenue for novelists and their fans to interact. Nine book chats at the festival were quite interactive and educative and they included:  Yejide Kilanko’s ‘Daughters Who Walk This Path’, Bernadine Everisto’s ‘Loverman, Barnaby Phillips’s ‘Another Man’s War’, Okey Ndibe’s ‘Foreign Gods Inc.’and Chude Jideonwo’s ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’ Nnedi Okorafor also told the audience, ‘What Sunny Saw in the Flames’. Fred D’Aguai talked about ‘Children of Paradise’. Zukiswa Wanner discussed ‘London Cape Town Joburg’ and Nike Campbell Fatoki enlightened the audience all about her bestselling book, ‘Thread of Gold Beads’.

Guests had a thrilling and memorable session during a chat between the former president of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,GCFR, and Patrick Okigbo titled ‘Defining a Legacy,’ where  she shared his background, career and issues bordering on Nigeria’s past and present.

The last day of the festival was eventful as Nigeria’s literary giant and first Africa’s Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, was hosted by Jerome Okolo in which he shared his experience from the time he returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, his contribution to Nigeria's political history and the kind of leader Nigeria wants. On a lighter note, everyone burst into laughter when he said: "I'm going back to the bush in the next few weeks." Hunting is part of his hobbies.

The festival was rounded off with Palm wine and Poetry, moderated by Remi Raji, in which Yetunde Verissimo, Beverly Nsenglyunva, Clifton Gachagua, G’Ebinyo Ogbowei, Efe Paul Azino and many others poets held the audience bound with spoken words performances.

Like the saying: ‘All work and no play ...’ The gala night began around 8 pm, at the premises of June 12 Cultural Centre and guests were served with sumptuous meals and assorted drinks. They danced ‘Dorobucci’ by Mavin, ‘Aye’ by Davido and other music till fade.

Indeed, there will be fond memories of this year’s festival in many people’s minds till the time the third Ake Arts and Book festival will hold -from November 17, to 21, 2015.

Sponsors of 2014 festival among others include: Peugeot, Access Bank, Goethe Insitut, Allaince Francais, Ford Foundation, Consulate-General of the Federal Republic of Germany, British Council, Embassy of France in Nigeria and Shehu Musa Y’aradua Foundation, among others.