Aké Arts and Book Festival

Aké Arts and Book Festival
Status	Active
Genre	Arts festival, book festival
Frequency	Annually
Venue	Cultural Centre, Kuto
Location(s)	Abeokuta, Ogun State
Country	Nigeria
Inaugurated	2013
Organized by	Book Buzz Foundation/Lola Shoneyin
Website	www.akefestival.org

The Aké Arts and Book Festival is an annual literary, cultural and arts event that takes place in Abeokuta, Nigeria. It was founded in 2013 by the Nigerian writer Lola Shoneyin. Although it has featured new and established writers from across the world, its focus has been to promote, develop and celebrate creativity on the African continent in diverse genres. The fifth edition, which was held from 14 November to 18 November 2017, had the theme "This F-Word".

Founding

Shoneyin started the festival because, according to her, she "wanted a place where intellectuals and thinkers can come together and talk about African issues on African soil."^[1]

The festival is named after Aké, a town in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Africa's first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka, was born in 1934.

First edition (2013)

The first edition was held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, from 19 to 24 November 2013. The theme of the festival was "The Shadow of Memory".^[2] One of its major highlights was an event titled "The Shadow of Memory", where four young Nigerians, under the age of 21, had the opportunity to quiz the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka on his life and times.^[3]

Guests were A. Igoni Barrett, Abraham Oshoko, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Adepero Oduye, Aita Ighodaro, Akweake Zara Emezi, Ayesha Pande, Alan Bisset, Ayisha Osori, Ayodele Olofintuade, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Ayo Obe, Binyavanga Wainaina, Bola Edwards, Charles Novia, Chibundu Onuzo, Christie Watson, Chuma Nwokolo, Doreen Baingana, Efe Paul Azino, Eghosa Imasuen, Erin Haney, Femi Elufowoju Jr, Ifeanyi Ajaegbo, Funmi Iyanda, Godwin Alabi Isama, Ikhide Ikheloa, Iquo Bassey, Kaine Agary, Kayode Fayemi, Ken Wiwa, Kunle Ajibade, Line Hoven, Lisa Teasley, Lolade Siyonbola, Mamle Kabu, Marlon James, Michela Wrong, Molara Wood, Monica Arac de Nyeko, Muthoni Garland, Natalia Molebatsi, Nomboniso Gasa, Olaokun Soyinka, Olakunle Kasunmu, Patrick Okigbo, Paula Sofowora, Peter Akinlabi, Pius Adesanmi, Remi Raji, Richard Ali, Rotimi Babatunde, Segun Adeniyi, Sitawa Namwalie, Syl Cheney-Coker, Teju Cole, Temitayo Ogunbiyi, Toni Kan, Tope Folarin, Tolu Ogunlesi, Victor Dlamini, Victor Ehikhamenor, Wale Adebanwi, Wana Udobang, Wole Soyinka, Yaba Badoe and Yewande Omotoso.

Second edition (2014)

The second edition was held from 18 to 22 November 2014. The theme was "Bridges and Pathways".^[4]

Invited guests were Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Ayisha Osori, Ayodele Olofintuade, Ayo Sogunro, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Barnaby Phillips, Bassey Ikpi, Ben Aaronovitch, Beverley Nambozo, Binyavanga Wainaina, Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, Bryony Rheam, Bwesigye Mwesigire, Chinelo Onwualu, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, Clifton Gachagua, Chude Jideonwo, Dami Ajayi, E. E. Sule, Efe Paul Azino, Edwige Dro, Eghosa Imasuen, Emmanulle Mougne, Femi Elufowoju Jr, G. O. Ogbowei, Jeku Ozoemene, Jumoke Verissimo, Jerome Okolo, Hawa Jande Golakai, Iheoma Obibi, Kei Miller, Kaine Agary, Kelechi Njokwu, Kola Tubosun, Kunle Afolayan, Lizzy Attree, Marcus Boni Teiga, Michael Peel, Molara Wood, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, Nike Campbell-Fatoki, Nanama Acheampong, Nze Sylva Ifedigbo, Nnedi Okorafor, Okey Ndibe, Olufemi Terry, Olusegun Obasanjo, Patrick Okigbo, Qudus Onikeku, Remi Raji, Rotimi Amaechi, Rotimi Babatunde, Tayo Aluko, Stella Duffy, Toni Kan, Uche Umez Peter, Wale Okediran, Wole Soyinka, Yejide Kilanko, Yona Oyegun Masade, Vera Bottersbutch, Zukiswa Wanner, Ukamaka Olisakwe, Fubaraibi Benstowe and Samuel Kolawole.

Third edition (2015)

The 2015 edition, themed "Engaging the Fringe", was held between 17 and 21 November.

It had in attendance over 80 world renowned writers, visual and performing artistes, researchers and scholars.^[5] The official opening ceremony was held on Wednesday, 18 November 2016, and it featured speeches from the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Michel Arrion, as well as the Director of Marine Platforms, Baji Nyam.^[5] The festival was headlined by the poet Niyi Osundare, who was also on the cover of the festival magazine Aké Review. Other notable writers present included Helon Habila, Binyavanga Wainaina, Mona Elthahawy, Chris Abani, Véronique Tadjo, Pierre Cherruau, E. C. Osondu, Taiye Selasi, Novuyo Rosa Tshuma and Nnedi Okorafor.^[6]

The edition featured exhibitions of photographs titled Margins and Marginalisation by Andrew Esiebo and Shadows and Dreams by Tyna Adebowale.^[5] Hear Word, a play directed by Ifeoma Fafunwa, was staged at the event.

Guests were A. Igoni Barrett, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Adeeko Ibukun, Adeola Fayehun, Adeola Opeyemi, Ainehi Edoro (of Brittle Paper), Aye-Ola Mabiaku, Ayo Sogunro, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu, Chijioke Amu Nnadi, Chris Abani, Dami Ajayi, Diekoye Oyeyinka, Dilman Dila, E. C. Osondu, Efe Paul Azino, Eghosa Imasuen, Ekow Duker, Elizabeth Adeolu, Emma Shercliff, Emmanuel Iduma, Florence Kayemba, Florent Couao-Zotti, Frankie Edozien, Freedom Onuoha, Funto Boroffice, Helon Habila, Howard French, Inua Ellams, Irenosen Okojie, Jane Kalu, Jude Dibia, Jumoke Verissimo, Kadaria Ahmed, Kate Haines, Kinna Likimani, Kola Tubosun, Kolade Arogundade, Kunle Ajibade, Maaza Mengiste, Mehul Gohil, Molara Wood, Mona Eltahawy, Niran Okewole, Niyi Osundare, Nnedi Okorafor, Nnimmo Bassey, Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, Obinna Udenwe, Olaokun Soyinka, Omitonade Ifawemimo, Patrick Okigbo, Pemi Aguda, Kagayi Peter, Pierre Cherruau, Pius Adesanmi, Remi Raji, Siphiwo Mahala, Taiye Selasi, Titilope Sonuga, Toni Kan, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Vamba Sherif, Véronique Tadjo, Victor Ehikhamenor, Wana Udobang, Xavier Moyet, Zahrah Nesbitt-Ahmed, Zukiswa Wanner, Tyna Adebowale, Andrew Esiebo, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Colette Braeckman, Imanni Da Silva, Thierry Michel, Rachel Zadok and Bisi Alimi.

Fourth edition (2016)

The theme of the 2016 edition was "Beneath this Skin", and it was held from 15 and 19 November. It was headlined by the Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o.

It featured art exhibitions, "Cultural Dysmorphia" by Ayobola Kekere Ekun and "Bits of Borno" by Fatima Abubakar. It also featured a play, Iyalode of Eti, adapted for the stage by Debo Oluwatuminu and directed by Moji Kareem and Femi Elufowoju, jr. The play was inspired by John Webster’s masterpiece The Duchess of Malfi.

The Festival Film was Hissene Habre, a Chadian tragedy by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, followed by an interview with Clement Abaifouta, the president of the Chadian Victim's Association, which fought to bring Hissene Habre to justice. Abaifouta was himself arrested in July 1985 by Habre's notorious political police because he was suspected of links to the opposition.

Invited guests at the festival were Pemi Aguda, Adebola Rayo, Adunni and Nefretiti, Alain Mabanckou, Andrew Walker, Anote Ajelourou, Ayisha Osori, Ayobola Kekere-Ekun, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Brymo, Chinelo Okparanta, Chinelo Onwalu, Chitra Nagarajan, Clement Abaifouta, Dami Ajayi, Dike Chukwumerijie, Emma Shercliff, Falana, Fati Abubakar, Femi Elufowoju Jr., Geoff Ryman, Helon Habila, James Murua, Jennifer Makumbi, Jowhor Ile, Kadaria Ahmed, Kingsley Moghalu, Kinna Likimani, Kiru Taye, Kola Tubosun, Kolade Arogundade, Laila Lalami, Lebo Mashile, Leye Adenle, Lidudumalingani Mqombothi, Marguerite Abouet, Michael Kelleher, Molara Wood, Nana Darkoa, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, NoViolet Bulawayo, Odafe Atogun, Ogaga Ifowodo, Okey Ndibe, Olaokun Soyinka, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, Panashe Chigumadzi, Patrick Okigbo, Pierre Cherruau, Ranka Primorac, Remi Raji, Richard Bourne, Sade Adeniran, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Sebastian Loerscher, Shadreck Chikoti, Teju Cole, Tendai Huchu, Titilope Sonuga, Toni Kan, Umar Turaki, Yewande Omotoso and Zukiswa Wanner.

There was also a concert with Brymo, Falana and Adunni and Nefretiti.

Fifth edition (2017)

The theme of the 2017 edition was "This F-Word". It was held from 14 November to 18 November 2017. The headliner was the Ghanaian novelist and poet Ama Ata Aidoo.

Other invited guests include Adebola Rayo, Adeola Olagunju, Aduke Gomez, Adunni & Nefretiti, Alexis Okeowo, Amara Nicole Okolo, Aramide, Arit Okpo, Ayisha Osori, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Bim Adewunmi, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Celeste, Charmaine Pereira, Chioma Ogwuegbu, Cynthia Nwuka, Dami Ajayi, Dayo Olopade, Diane Awerbuck, Diekara Oloruntoba, Emmanuel Iduma, Esther Armah, Femi Oyebode, Florida Uzoaru, Geoff Ryman, Giles Foden, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, Haneefah Adam, Hannah Azieb Pool, Ifeoma Chukwuogo, Iheoma Obibi, Isabella Akinseye, Ishmael Beah, Jade Osiberu, Jekein Lato-Unah, Jeryl Prescott Sales, Jessica Horn, Joy Bewaji, Joyce Olong, Jude Kelly, Kadaria Ahmed, Kikelomo Woleosho, Kinna Likimani, Kobina Graham, Koleka Putuma, Kola Tubosun, Lamide Akintobi, Laure Beaufils, Leyla Hussein, Maïmouna Jallow, Mara Menzies, Mariam S Oyawoye, Marta Celestino, Marvellous Micheal, Maryam Awaisu, Maryam Bukar Hassan, Modé Aderinokun, Mohale Mashigo, Molara Wood, Mona Eltahawy, Nadine Ibrahim, Nnedi Okorafor, Nneka Ijeoma, Ojoma Ochai, Olaokun Soyinka, Olumide Popoola, OluTimehin Adegbeye, Poetra Asantewa, Pumla Dineo Gqola, Roqeebah Olaoniye, Salawa Abeni, Samira Sanusi, Sara Blecher, Sharon Ikeazor, Toke Makinwa, Tom Ilube, Toni Kan, Tope Oshin, Yolanda Mercy, Yvonne Owuor, Zinzi Clemmons and Zukiswa Wanner.

The fifth edition had a number of other events, including the launch of Saraba magazine's inaugural print issue^[7] and the presentation of prizes for the Nommo Awards.^[8]

Aké Review

The Aké Review is the official publication of the festival. It is published in English, Yorùbá and French.

The 2014 edition was co-edited by Oyebade Dosunmu and Lola Shoneyin.

The 2015 edition was co-edited by Kola Tubosun and Kolade Arogundade. Each edition features a series of "10 Questions", answered by Ake Festival guests. In addition, the publication has longer interviews, short fiction, poetry, photography and art. In the 2015 edition of Aké Review, there was an in-depth interview with the poet and teacher Niyi Osundare, who also appeared on the cover, as well as an interview with the 2015 Caine Prize-winner Namwali Serpell.

The 2016 edition of the Review was edited by Molara Wood.^[9] It has on its cover the famous Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o who was also a headliner at the festival. It included interviews with Ngugi (conducted by Mọlara Wood), with Mahammat Saleh Haroun and with Odafe Atogun (both conducted by Lola Shoneyin).

The 2017 edition was edited by Molara Wood with the headliner of the year's event Ama Ata Aidoo on the cover. It included three interviews: Diane Awerbuck was interviewed by Geoff Ryman, Ama Ata Aidoo was interviewed by Molara Wood] and Ayobami Adebayo was interviewed by Kola Tubosun. There was also an uncredited interview with Jude Kelly, the artistic director of London's Southbank Centre, and a founder of WOW-Women of the World.

References

External links

• Aké Festival website
• Aké Review web page