Friday 28 June 2013

TEDxEuston supports and recommends Africa Writes 2013!

​Dear TEDxEuston Community,

We’re delighted to promote and support Africa Writes 2013, the annual African literature and book festival organised by our friends and partners at the Royal African Society
This year the festival will take place from 5-7 July at the British Library, bringing together established and emerging writers from across the continent and the diaspora for a three-day celebration of contemporary African writing.

Member of the TEDxEuston team, Ike Anya, will be chairing one of the plenary debates exploring the genre of non-fiction and TEDxEustonSalon speakers, Chibundu Onuzo and Jessica Horn, will also be taking part. Chibundu will pay tribute to the late Chinua Achebe and Jessica will be speaking at the launch of Scarf Magazine’s 2013 issue, “Revolutions”, as well as leading a family workshop.

Africa Writes 2013 has an exciting programme, which includes FREE book launches, readings, panel discussions, performances, youth and children’s workshops, and a book market. Here are some of the festival highlights which TEDxEuston recommends! 

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Diaspora Writes Back
Friday 5 July, 6:30-8:30PM
British Library Conference Centre
Tickets: £7.50/£5 Book Here

Join four award-winning London-based African poets as they explore notions of culture, migration and identity in this stimulating evening of verse and versatility. Kenyan-born Somali poet Warsan Shire, Ugandan Nick Makoha, Ghanaian Nii Ayikwei Parkes and South African Leeto Thale will read and perform selected poems, followed by a discussion of their work with Bernardine Evaristo MBE, British-Nigerian author and founder of the Brunel University African Poetry Prize. 


Two Writers, Two Generations: Ngugi wa Thiong'o & Mukoma Wa Ngugi
​Saturday 6 July, 6:30-8:30PM
British Library Conference Centre
Tickets: £7.50/£5 Book Here

Spanning the history of Africa's independence and its contemporary literary scene, this event brings together acclaimed author Ngugi wa Thiong'o and his son, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, to talk about their respective works, preoccupations and aspirations as two writers from different generations and how they see the role of the writer in Africa today. The conversation will be chaired by respected critic, editor and writer, Margaret Busby.

Sunjata Keita and the Epic of Ancient Mali
Sunday 7 July, 4:30-5:30PM
British Library Conference Centre
FREE

​Africa Writes closes with a staged production of the Epic of Sunjata featuring actor Denver Isaac and master Kora player Seckou Keita. The Epic of Sunjata Keita, founder of the ancient Mali Empire, has been orally transmitted by West African griots and praise singers since the 13th Century. This specially commissioned production of the epic in English highlights the ancient roots of West African literature and the connection between the oral and written traditions. The performance will be introduced by Wilfred Willey (President of the Malian Community Council). 


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