Finding Freedom: Ake Festival returns with a focus on diverse voices

Africa’s largest literary festival, the Ake Books and Art Festival, is back in 2024 with its 12th edition. This literary event was established by Lola Shoneyin, an author, cultural activist, and founder of Ouida Books.

At a media briefing on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Ouida Bookstore in Opebi, Lagos, Shoneyin revealed that the theme for this year’s edition is Finding Freedom. According to her, this theme reflects the conflicts and oppression experienced in some African countries, as well as people’s struggles and quests for freedom of choice, association, worship, and love.

“One of the reasons we love this theme is that it’s very open-ended and almost all-encompassing. We are thinking of our brothers and sisters in Congo DRC, and Sudan, and of what is happening in Ukraine and Gaza. It seems to be a very difficult time for so many people in different parts of the world, and it would have been remiss of us not to curate a program that acknowledges these difficult times,” she shared.

This year’s edition will span four days, starting on November 20, 2024, and ending on November 23 with a palm wine and poetry event. It is scheduled to be held at Bon Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, and will feature 24 events, including panel discussions, book chats, poetry, comedy, live music, film screenings, and a cancer awareness session.
Inclusivity and Diversity

Shoneyin spoke on the festival’s aim to ensure diversity and inclusivity. To achieve this, she invited Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie to discuss her book, Ugo and Sim Sim: What is Down Syndrome? “This is the first time that a child with special needs is being represented in a children’s book in Nigeria, which I think is important. Not only is it possible that any of us could be in this situation, but it’s also crucial that people understand the kind of empathy we should exercise, especially towards people with special needs, whether it’s Down syndrome, autism, or other physical, emotional, or mental disabilities,” Shoneyin said.

Aside from discussion on disabilities, the festival will also introduce new voices, such as Erhu Kome, the author of The Smoke that Thunders, which centers on Urhobo mythology. Shoneyin expressed her excitement about featuring voices from smaller ethnic groups in Nigeria to embrace marginalised perspectives.

“I love the idea that we can have people from some of the smaller ethnic groups and give them a big voice and platform. Everything they have to say is important too. For me as a curator, our diversity is the most powerful thing about being Nigerian, and it’s something that I love,” she explained.

The festival will also feature a panel discussion on Demystifying Cancer, aimed at addressing misconceptions about cancer while celebrating the resilience of cancer survivors. This session will be facilitated by Prof. Wole Soyinka and Gloria Okwu, who are both cancer survivors and will be moderated by Ruona Meyer, an investigative journalist.

Shoneyin also paid tribute to Tayo Agunbiade, the author of Untold Histories of Nigerian Women, who was meant to be among the panelists but sadly passed away from cancer in October. She mentioned plans to honor her at the Ake Festival.

Furthermore, she noted that several authors from around the world and across different genres of literature will also be in attendance. Prominent authors include Nnedi Okorafor, Maame Blue, Abi Dare, Sue Nyathi, Umar Abubakar Sidi, Musih Tejdi, Shubnum Khan, Siphiwe Ndlovu, Shani Akilah, Nnamdi Ehirim, and Fatima Bala, the author of a popular Muslim romance novel.

She ended the conference with heartfelt appreciation for the sponsors of the Ake Festival, including Sterling Bank, the Open Society Foundation, the Lagos State Government, the European Union, and others.