Freedom as core of Ake Arts and Book Festival 2024

Yinka Olatunbosun

The 12th edition of Ake Arts and Book Festival,
is set to hold from November 20 to 23, 2024. This four-day event is a celebration of African literature, art and culture. Set to be held at Bon Hotel Ikeja, the festival will be a melting pot for creatives as they relish the cultural offerings through panel discussions, performances, book readings, and more.

Founded by Nigerian poet and author, Lola Shoneyin, Ake festival which started in Abeokuta is known for exploring themes that connect to real-world issues. This year’s theme, “Finding Freedom,” highlights the desire for freedom around the world.

Shoneyin explained: “When we pick a theme, we think about what’s happening globally. Right now, there are people struggling for freedom in places like Gaza, Congo, and Ukraine.” She revealed that this year’s festival will explore these varied paths to freedom.

The festival’s flagship publication, Ake Review, will explore themes of conflict, freedom, and togetherness in today’s world. Panel discussions will focus on important topics such as “Demystifying Cancer,” featuring literary icon Wole Soyinka, and “Documenting New Voices,” which brings together groundbreaking African publishers. Another highlight, “Making a Case for Democracy,” will showcase perspectives from contributors commissioned by the Financial Times to explore democracy in various continents.

A key panel discussion, “Finding Freedom,” will give voice to guests from countries experiencing crises, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Palestine, and Ukraine, offering attendees firsthand perspectives on resilience in the face of adversity.

Aké Festival will also feature book chats with celebrated African writers. Notable authors include Nnedi Okorafor, Nnamdi Ehirim, and Erhu Kome, who will discuss their latest novels and short story collections. The festival has expanded to include children’s literature, with authors such as Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie, author of Ugo and Sim Sim Learn About Down Syndrome and Bunmi Emenanjo, aiming to nurture a love for reading among younger audiences.

With an eye on the growing romance genre, authors Fatima Bala and Timendu Aghahowa will present new works that explore love and relationships. Additionally, the festival will honour works by authors such as Abi Dare, Jordan Ifueko, and Florence Olajide, spanning genres and themes that capture the diversity of African storytelling.

The festival’s lively ‘Palm Wine and Poetry Night’ will blend the unique taste of palm wine with powerful performance poetry, featuring acts from Wana Udobang, Abileola Soyinka, and Najwan Darwish. This tradition has become one of the highlights, as festival-goers enjoy an evening of spoken word in a lively, communal setting.

Comedy and music lovers have something to look forward to as well. Indian comedian Aditi Mittal will bring humour to the stage, while Nigerian singer-songwriter Falana will showcase her soulful melodies, capturing the audience with classics inspired by West Africa’s coastal rhythms.

New this year is the Bedtime Stories series, where authors, including award-winning writer Jennifer Makumbi, will read aloud from their books in recorded audio to close each day on a soothing note. Additionally, the festival will celebrate South African cinema with a screening of uNOBUNTU, a film by the mother-daughter duo Nombeko and Sihle Nontshokweni, followed by a discussion on its making.

Also, the Book Buzz Foundation, organisers of the Aké Festival, recently opened a new facility in Lagos’ Opebi Ikeja area. This state-of-the-art venue includes creative spaces, conference rooms, and a multipurpose theatre, creating an inspiring environment for workshops and creative exchanges.

The festival is supported by Sterling Bank, Open Society Foundation, and the Lagos State government, among others. Registration is now open, and attendees are encouraged to secure their spots by registering to join this dynamic celebration of African literature and culture.