Oral literatures conference holds in Reitz

The 11th biennial conference of the International Society for the Oral Literatures of Africa (ISOLA) started with an elaborate opening ceremony at the newly renovated Reitz Union Conference and events centre.

The convener of the conference Professor Akintunde Akinyemi introduced members of the University of Florida administration. The Dean of UF International Center, Leonardo A. Villalón, let the participants informed the participants from various parts of Africa, Europe, & North America that they are welcome to the university and to the Gainesville community. In his very brief welcome address, he said he was aware of the genesis of how the 11th biennial conference came to UF.

Professor Mary Watt, the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said the acronym ISOLA means island in Italian language and she is sure that the visit of the participants will create bridges, as no one is an island. She also drew other coincidences linked to the theme of the conference, which is “memory & remembrance. One of such coincidences is that the conference ends on the memorial weekend of the United States of America.

Also at the opening of the three-day conference was the Chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures, & Cultures, Professor Ingrid Kleespies. In her opening remarks she pointed out the department placed very high premium on the study and teaching of African languages.

Dr Toddy Leedy, Associate Director at the Center for African studies, giving his opening remarks at the conference said the Center is always willing to support conferences such as this. He urged participants to take advantage of the very good weather by looking around the University campus.

It is worthy of note that this 11th ISOLA conference also coincides with the 10th year commemoration of the UNESCO proclamation of Masterpieces of the oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, which was put in place in April 2006. The convention put in place had in mind “practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith”