At Ake Arts and Books Festival, Sterling Bank Backs Interdisciplinary Feast

Despite its virtual nature, the 2021 edition of Ake Arts and Books Festival had a spectacular outing. With support from Sterling Bank, it features ‘The Life and Times Series’ event with Booker-Prize shortlist author, Maaza Mengiste, in a conversation with the festival headliner, Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah, the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature. Yinka Olatunbosun writes.

No fewer than 30 events made the 2021 edition of Ake Arts and Books Festival (AABF) a done deal. Supported by Sterling Bank, its varied session included book chats, panel discussions, documentary and film screenings, a poetry video album, an art show-case and a music concert. The festival saw five curated intergenerational conversations that reflected the 2021 festival theme ‘Generational Discordance.’

The latest Nobel Laureate and Tanzanian author, Abdulrazak Gurnah was the headliner for the Ake festival for obvious reasons. Curiosity had sparked since he got the most prestigious literary prize and his contributions had also been at the centre of discourse among the literati.

Gurnah spoke about the invasion of East Africa noting that until recently, most conversations about colonial presence in Africa had always excluded Germany. The Nobel Laureate, however, used his prose as a medium to narrate how Germany established colonies in present-day Namibia, Cameroon, Togo, parts of Tanzania and Kenya as well as Rwanda and Burundi.

According to him, German colonial rule was as brutal as colonial enterprises were in an era known for its oppression and violence. The author in ‘Afterlives’ noted that it was Germany that perpetrated the first genocide of the 20th Century in 1904 and 1908 respectively. The genocide was part of a campaign of ethnic extermination and collective punishment waged by the German Empire against the Herero, the Name and the San in German South West Africa (now Namibia).

The convener, AABF, Lola Shoneyin acknowledged the support of Sterling Bank during her closing remarks. For her, Ake Festival is the envy of cultural entrepreneurs and organisations across the African continent. While reflecting on this year’s theme ‘Generational Discordance,’ Shoneyin observed that the internet has amplified generational differences in almost every area of African life. “From relationships, love and marriage; spirituality and religion; gender and feminism to politics and activism, the differences in perspective are glaring. Where earlier generations of Africans are anchored on their cultural identities, our younger compatriots see themselves as a part of a globalised world. It is easy to assume that our aspirations are poles apart but they are not. Africa cannot afford the luxury of endless culture wars,” she said.

Shoneyin called for engagement and communication asking stakeholders to eschew the sensationalism and divisive influence of digital algorithms.

Abubakar Suleiman, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, said the bank’s continued support for Africa’s biggest literary festival hinges on the fact that education is one of the five sectors that the bank is currently investing in alongside other sectors such as health, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.

Some of the books at the discourse session include ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ by Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson; ‘Lionheart Girl’ by Yaba Badoe; ‘His Only Wife’ by Peace Medie; ‘Formation: The Making of Nigeria from Jihad to Amalgamation’ by Fola Fagbule and Feyi Fawehinmi; ‘Prince of Monkeys’ by Nnamdi Ehirim; ‘An Ordinary Wonder’ by Buki Papillon; ‘Butter Honey Pig Bread’ by Francesca Ekwuyasi; ‘Born in Blackness’ by NYT columnist Howard French; ‘When the Sky is Ready The Stars Will Appear’ by EC Osondu; ‘The Sex Lives of African Women’ by Nana Dorkoa Sekyiamah and ‘The Teller of Secrets’ by Bisi Adjapon.

Alongside the intergenerational conversations, panel discussions also focused on African crime-writing, conspiracy theories and healthcare; disability rights and repatriating Africa’s stolen treasures, with discussions moderated by Harper Collins’ (UK) Nancy Adimora, which explored ‘Of This Our Country,’ a new collection of essays and reflections by 24 Nigerian writers.

Virtual visitors enjoyed interviews with Denrele Sonariwo, the CEO, Rele Gallery and Ade Bantu, musician and Founder of Afropolitan Vibes.