AFRICAN LITERARY TITANS GATHER IN ACCRA TO RECLAIM NARRATIVES AT THE LABONE DIALOGUES (OCTOBER 19-23rd 2023)

The literary headlines are set to explode with various takeaways and exciting episodes from Lagone, Accra from 19^th October 2023 and beyond as Africa’s finest literary heavyweights across generations converge in Lagone, Accra, Ghana for what might be one of the continent’s finest literary festivals this year. ‘The Labone Dialogues by NYU Accra’ curated by its director, the phenomenal Chiké Frankie Edozien, will be dazzling audiences to discourses and performances of the best grade with a cast that would be any literary and art lover’s dream. The theme for this October edition of the festival, the eleventh edition in a period of four years, is ‘Re-Claiming the Narrative.’ It will be explored through four enriching days filled with panels, readings, and musical performances.

Leading the formation for this event are the keynote speakers, names that speak for themselves; famed novelist Aminatta Forna, multi-genre author and African poetry promoter par excellence Chris Abani; and the chair of the judges for Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024, Jennifer Makumbi, herself an amazing multiple award-winning fiction writer. There will be a legend key dialogue featuring the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka and moderated by Esi Sutherland-Addy. In addition to their keynote addresses, each will indulge audiences with career retrospectives during intimate sit-down interviews.

In addition to these headliners are other stars who have made names for themselves too. There is the graceful multiple award-winning author and cultural advocate, Nii Ayikwei Parkes and the multiple award-winning fiction writer and journalist, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, who won the Nigerian Prize for Literature 2016 worth $100,000 and one of arguably Africa’s biggest literary award. Other big names following are the Pulitzer Prize winning poet Gregory Pardlo, Haruna Ayesha Attah (Miles Morland fellow and outstanding writer), Nozizwe Cynthia Jele (Commonwealth Writers Prize Winner), and the Rwandan-born Namibian literary advocate and author of note, Remy Ngamije. The rollcall for the event will be cemented by the presence and rich interactions of names that evoke celebrations, multiple award-winning authors, and nominees from across the continent and beyond including S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema, Tendai [T.L] Huchu, Dami Ajayi, Socrates Mbamalu, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Leye Adenle, Sharon Bowers, Nicole Amarteifio, Kalaf Epalanga, Sulaiman Addonia, Ondjaki, Dilman Dila, Zukiswa Wanner, Femi Kayode, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Sisonke Msimang, Nicole Amarteifio, James Murua, Wana Udobang, Sarbong Osei Asamoah, Femi Kayode, Martin Egblewogbe, Mohale Mashigo, Kinna Likimani, Antony ‘Fui’ Can-Tamakloe, Kalaf Epalanga, Ondjaki, Esi Sutherland-Addy, Michael Kelleher, and the NYU Accra director himself, Chiké Frankie Edozien.

With daily live-streamed ‘Breakfast Show’ roundups anchored by renowned literary blogger James Murua and Aso Times editor Socrates Mbamalu, attendees and online viewers are assured of a comprehensive festival experience.

However, the dialogues are not confined to the literary community. Several dignitaries are set to grace the festival, including H. E. Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady of Ghana, H.E. Ambassador Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator, and members of NYU’s global senior leadership.

There will also be a city-wide tour with Allotey Bruce-Konuah and a visit to an underprivileged after-school programme in Chorkor, a low-income suburb of Accra, to read, donate books and promote literacy.

Set against the backdrop of Accra’s commendable designation as the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2023, the event seeks to explore pressing questions about literature’s role in nation-building, identity formation, and societal change.

You can read more about the guests from the people at NTM and find a slight history with a backstory to the dialogue from Open Country Magazine.

With free attendance and live-streaming accessibility, The Labone Dialogues is a clarion call to embrace, understand, and redefine African narratives across regions in a globalized world for a sustainable future.