A Guernica Mag team, led by founder Michael Archer, was hosted to several activities in Lagos, Nigeria, in June.
Guernica is an online magazine that focuses on the intersection of art and politics, publishing a range of work, including fiction, poetry, essays, reporting, art, and interviews. Founded in 2004 by Michael Archer, it provides global perspectives and platforms for marginalized voices and is recognized for its commitment to world literature and translations.
The first Nigerian contributor to Guernica Mag was Okey Ndibe and he would be followed by many who would share their fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and photography over the years. They include Afabwaje Kurian, Som Adedayor, Helon Habila, Victor Ehikhamenor, Emmanuel Iduma, Chika Unigwe, Sefi Atta, Ukamaka Olisakwe, E.C. Osondu, Mofiyinfoluwa Okupe, Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo, Innanoshe R.A., Chika Oduah, Adachioma Ezeano, Keside Anosike, Ifeanyichukwu Eze, Blessing J. Christopher, and Kay Iguh.
The magazine’s founder, Michael Archer, visited the West African nation for a series of events in June. With the interest of the magazine in art, there was an engagement with the Lagos art community with a visit to the studios of artists Victor Ehikhamenor, Chief Nike Okundaye, and Ndidi Dike. They also took time to engage with Nigeria’s leading art collectors, art patrons, and philanthropists Prince Yemisi Shyllon and Femi Akinsanya.
Also on the program were visits to media houses like RadioNow 95.3, Capital FM 97.3 (with the Book on Review with Benji), and TheNEWS Magazine & PM News (led by journalist, publisher & author, Kunle Ajibade, and his team). (We’ll remember Ajibade for his excellent engagement with Ngugi Wa Thiong’o when the latter headlined the Ake Festival in 2016).
Angels and Muse – Sunday, June 22
The highlight event had many of Lagos’ leading and upcoming writers hosted at Angels and Muse on Sunday, June 22. That event which was emceed by Tade Ipadeola kicked off with a testament by Okey Ndibe, who wasn’t present so it was read by Elohor Egbordi, which spoke of how he got published by Guernica and how he encouraged other Nigerians to submit.
“I’m proud on so many levels that my friend Michael Archer is in Nigeria having important conversations about literary arts and, particularly, the vital role that Guernicamag has come to play in the contemporary artistic landscape. His publication of my essay, titled “My Father’s English Friend”, had such exhilarating impact that I sought out other Nigerian—and African—writers and encouraged them to submit their fiction and nonfiction. Today, that exquisite and culturally stalwart publication has exploded on the literary scene, fervently read by the literati in the US and across the globe, including Africa,” Okey’s statement read by Elohor Egbordi said.
Victor Ehikhamenor and Michael Archer were moderated to the topic, “Building Bridges: The Journey of Magazine” by Guernica nonfiction editor Molara Wood. Archer and Wood also had a question and answer section where they spoke about how to get published in the magazine.
There were poetry performances by Evelyn Osagie and emcee Tade Ipadeola and readings by Som Adedayor, Toni Kan, Jahman Anikulapo, and Rolie O’tsemaye.
You can read a more extensive report of that event from our friends at PMNews Nigeria here.
Here are images from the Nigeria visit courtesy of Angels and Muse.
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