LAGOS
2018 Ake Arts and
Books Festival in Lagos
by Temitayo Famutimi
T
he US Mission in Nigeria supported the 2018 Ake
Arts and Books Festival in Lagos. In its 6th year,
this year’s Festival, with the theme “Fantastical
Futures”, was held October 25-28. The annual event
showcases the best of contemporary African literature,
poetry, music, art, film, and theatre. Thirteen American
writers took part including Elizabeth Bird, Professor of
Anthropology at the University of South Florida; Mona
Eltahawy, New York-based columnist and international
public speaker; Nnedi Okorafor, award-winning novelist
and professor at the University of Buffalo; and Tochi
Onyebuchi, author of the widely-acclaimed fantasy “Beasts
Made of Night.” Additionally, visiting U.S. Arts Envoy
Wanjiru Kamuyu performed a dance, “Portrait in Red,” at
the Festival.
Delivering remarks at the opening, U.S. Consulate Public
Affairs Officer Russell Brooks expressed admiration for
the creative abilities of Nigerians across various forms of
human endeavor. The opening ceremony was attended by
Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo along with several
diplomats and a broad range of the creative community. The
visiting artistes also joined local colleagues on visits to local
schools to inspire young people to achieve their dreams.
Public Affairs Officer, Russell Brooks delivering remarks during the opening
ceremony of the festival
Visiting U.S. Arts Envoy, Wanjiru Kamuyu delivering a dance performance
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CROSSROADS | December 2018/January 2019
Festival convener, Lola Shoneyin is an alumna of the
prestigious U. S. government funded Iowa Writers Program.
Cross-section of VIP guests including Vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo and Ake
Festival convener, Lola Shoneyin (far left)