Ake Arts and Book Festival 2024 starts November 20

The Ake Arts & Book Festival 2024, with the theme is “finding freedom,” is set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria from November 20 – 23, 2024.

The Ake Arts and Book Festival was founded by Lola Shoneyin and first hosted in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2013. It has since moved to its new home of Lagos with the new hosts embracing what has become arguably the most popular literary shindig in Nigeria. There is an argument for it being in the top five literary experiences on the African continent.

The festival returns to Lagos with its usual offering of panels, masterclasses, school visits, readings of poetry and prose, film screenings, theatre performances, musical performances, book launches, and loads more.

The guests come from Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Palestine, Colombia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Germany, and other countries. They include Wole Soyinka, Abdulkareem Baba-Aminu, Abi Dare, Aditi Mittal, Ainehi Edoro, Aiwanose Odafen, Albert Morisseau Leroy, Alexandra Antwi-Boasiako, Amyn Bawa-Allah, Angela Wachuka, Bunmi Emenanjo, Dami Ajayi, Erhu Kome, Erica Benner, Fatima Bala, Florence Olajide, Foluso Agbaje, Gloria Chinyere Okwu, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Joey Akan, Jordan Ifueko, Joseph Ike, Juliet Riddell, Karen Attiah, Kayode Ani, Kenanao Phele, Khadija Yusra, Leola Soyinka, Maame Blue, Musih Tedji Xaviere, Muthoni Muiruri, Najwan Darwish, Nels Abbey, Nnamdi Ehirim, Nnedi Okorafor, Nokukhanya Ntsaluba, Nombeko Nontshokweni, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, Omotoke Solarin-Sodara, Rodrigue Isamaleki, Ruona Meyer, Ruth Mahogany, Shani Akilah, Sharon Adeoye-Ajanlekoko, Shubnum Khan, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, Sofiia Cheliak, Sukoluhle Nyathi, Taofeek Ayeyemi, Tawhida Tanya Evanson, Tayo Agunbiade, Timendu Aghahowa, Timi Sanni, Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie, Umar Abubakar Sidi, Umaymah Abdullahi, Velia Vidal, Wale Lawal, Wana Udobang, Wanjiru Koinange, Wendy Njoroge, and Zaynab Iliyasu Bobi.

For the program, we commend you follow the festival on Instagram or Twitter/X.

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