Returning to the British Library for its 8th annual outing, from 5 to 7 July, Africa Writes brings together over 60 of the most innovative wordsmiths from around the globe for a three-day celebration of African literature.

The Royal Africa Society’s festival opens with Our Bodies Speak Poetry, which will see a cross-generational group of poets and authors explore the body as a site of power – whether physical, political, fantastical or poetical – through storytelling and performance. Caleb Femi appears alongside Raymond Antrobus, Adesola Akinleye, Raymond Antrobus, Jessica Horn, Miss Jacqui, Fatimah Kelleher, Nick Makoha, Sitawa Namwalie, Koleka Putuma and Belinda Zhawi.

The second night will be given over to the launch of the hotly anticipated New Daughters of Africa anthology. Created in partnership with the Royal Society of Literature, Bernardine Evaristo, Nadifa Mohamed, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ and Namwali Serpell will join editor Margaret Busby to discuss this companion volume featuring works from 200 writers. It promises to speak to sisterhood, unifying heritage and common issues faced by women writers of colour when navigating race, gender, and class.

The final day’s festivities sees Man Brooker Prize shortlisted author Chigozie Obioma headlining. In conversation with Irenosen Okojie, he will discuss the themes of masculinity, fatherhood and Igbo cosmology in his latest work, An Orchestra of Minorities. This celebrated writer will also give a reading from his debut novel, The Fishermen.

In addition, there will be a plethora of book launches, discussions, salons and workshops throughout the weekend spanning everything from queer voices and African Londoners’ lived experiences to children’s storytelling and contemporary politics in Rwanda and Somalia.

As a media partner for Africa Writes, Nataal offers a special competition to win an Africa Writes 2019 tote bag complete with a day pass for Sunday, a signed hardback copy of The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell and a festival programme. After you enter the competition you’ll also receive a 20% discount code. Competition closes 4 July.

Africa Writes is at The British Library, London from 5 to 7 July 2019

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Published on 28/06/2019