The excitement is palpable. The city of Lagos will be hosting West Africa’s first international poetry festival and what seems set to become one of the biggest events on Africa’s art and cultural calendar.
The Lagos International Poetry Festival which is slated for the 28th of October to the 1st of November 2015 will feature five days of masterclasses, panel discussions and performances.
Headlining this year’s event is one of the biggest names in contemporary literature, Warsan Shire, London’s first young poet laureate and winner of the first Brunel University African Poetry Prize. Warsan will be joined by Inua Ellams, South African firebrand, Lebo Mashile, Safia El-hillo, TJ Dema, Bassey Ikpi, Titilope Sonuga, Dami Ajayi, Jumoke Verissimo, Chuma Nwokolo, Sage Hasson, Dike Chukwumerije, Odia Ofeimun and a host of other amazing voices.
The theme for this year’s festival is Border Less Words which according to poet and festival director, Efe Paul Azino, will explore poetry’s capacity to bridge racial, ethnic, gender, language and cultural divides, and the imperative of creative collaborations on the continent.
Festival events will kick off with workshops and master classes by 10am on the 28th of Oct. followed by an invite only cocktail in the evening at Freedom Park, and will be followed on the 29th by a special session at the University of Lagos featuring Prof. J.P. Clark and groundbreaking performances by festival guests.
Panel discussions and more performances will follow at Freedom Park from Friday the 30th of October and with a closing party on the 1st of November. We will bring you details of the events as they unfold and you can also check out www.lagospoetryfestival.com for details.
The Lagos International Poetry Festival is proudly supported by Star Larger and Freedom Park.
