Aké Arts and Book Festival


The Aké Arts and Book Festival is an annual literary, cultural and arts event that was founded in 2013 by the Nigerian writer Lola Shoneyin, taking place in Abeokuta, Nigeria. 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. In 2018 the festival was held for the first time in Lagos, from 24 October to 27 October, with the theme being "Fantastical Futures". The Aké Arts and Book Festival has been described as the African continent's biggest annual gathering of literary writers, editors, critics and readers.

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."
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". 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.
Guests were A. Igoni Barrett, Abraham Oshoko, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Adepero Oduye, Aita Ighodaro, Akweake Zara Emezi, Ayesha Pande, Alan Bisset, Ayisha Osori, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Ayodele Olofintuade, 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".
Invited guests were Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Ayisha Osori, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Ayodele Olofintuade, Ayo Sogunro, 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 more than 80 world-renowned writers, visual and performing artistes, researchers and scholars. 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. 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.
The edition featured exhibitions of photographs titled Margins and Marginalisation by Andrew Esiebo and Shadows and Dreams by Tyna Adebowale. 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, Aye-Ola Mabiaku, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Ayo Sogunro, 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, its screening followed by an interview with Clement Abaifouta, 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 having 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, Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, 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 and the presentation of prizes for the Nommo Awards.

Sixth edition (2018)

The theme of the . For the first time since its maiden edition in 2013, Ake Festival was held in Lagos from 25-28 October 2018, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja Lagos. The theme "Fantastical Futures" focused on events and conversations on the ideal future of Africa.
The 2018 Ake Festival celebrated Africa's art in photography and art exhibitions of young African artists like Abdulkareem Baba, Eloghosa Osunde, Isma’il Shomala, and Roye Okupe.
The poetry evening session featured season African poets like Nick Makoha, Logan February, Saddiq Dzukogi, Inua Elams, Ishion Hutchinson, Wana Udobang, Nastio Mosquito and Theresa Lola.
Attendees were also treated to a drama adapted from the book "Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives" authored by Nigerian author and founder of the festival, Lola Soneyin. The 2018 Festival films featured plays like Rafiki; a Kenyan drama film directed by , Her Broken Shadow by Dilman Dila amongst a host of other interesting films.
One of the interesting sessions of the festival was writing workshop titled "Getting Started on that Novel" by author and screenwriter Ben Aaronovitch, who gave emerging African writers useful tips on how to write the best fictional novel.
Other events like panel discussions and memory room titled "West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song" which was hailed as a ‘landmark exhibition’ which ‘exploded the myth of the dark continent’ lighted the festival with its peak during festival's concert by perennial guest artists in Salawa Abeni and Brymo.
Other invited guests include; Munoyedi Ogbolumani, Chukwubudike Ugbaja, Eloka Umeh, Tunde Kelani, Tunde Adegbola, Dayo Olagunju, Nnedi Okorafor, Roye Okupe, Kolawole Olanrewaju, Chudi Offodile, Paul Tarfa, Elizabeth Bird, Wole Talabi, Tochi Onyebuchi, Tosin Oshinowo, Geoff Ryman, Elizabeth Uviebinene, Yomi Adegoke, Mona Eltahawy, Yomi Jemibewon, Bobo Omotayo, Misan Rewane, Feyi Olubodun, Tayo Oviosu, Victor Kgomoeswana, Roye Okupe, Jide Martin, Yadi Ukoha Kalu, Ariyike Akinbobola, Yejide Kilanko, Ayo Oyeku, Theresa Lola, Inua Ellams, Logan February, Ishion Hutchinson, Noo Saro-Wiwa, Zukiswa Wanner, Funmi Oyatogun, Niran Adedokun, Folarin Banigbe, Bayo Olupohunda, Olasupo Shasore, Nze Sylva, Chibundu Onuzo amongst others.

Seventh edition (2019)

The seventh edition featured 120 guests, over 500 attendees, 17 Panel Discussions, 12 Book chats, 3 Workshops, one Interactive Session, Art Exhibition, Eat The Book and a Launch of Waterbirds On The Lakeshore.
The 2019 Ake Festival celebrated Africa's art in a precisely curated art exhibitions of young African artists like Hakeem Salam, Niyi Okeowo, Halima Abubakar and an interactive piece by the Artist in Residence, Sayo Ajetunmobi.
The poetry evening session featured seasoned African poets like Logan February, D'bi Young Anitafrika, Wana Udobang, Tanya Evanson, TJ Dema and Onias Landveld. A solo performance by Tope Tedela was also featured at the festival.
The 2019 Festival films featured a film by Nadine Ibrahim titled Marked; a documentary about tribal marks in Nigeria, Malaika; an animated film by Roye Okupe and Toni Morrison's The Pieces I Am.
Three writing workshops took place simultaneously during the festival, titled "Fiction-Writing", "Storytelling With Film" and "Culture Journalism" with brilliant facilitators like Nicole Dennis-Benn, Jennifer Makumbi and Sulaiman Addonia - for Fiction-Writing, Adepero Oduye, Nadine Ibrahim and Tolu Ajayi - For Storytelling With Film and Gary Younge, Adrian Harewood and Nichelle Smith - For Culture Journalism.
In attendance were a wide array of guests including Ayobami Adebayo, Nnedi Okorafor, Mona Eltahawy, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Tope Folarin, Zukiswa Wanner, Kola Tubosun, Fred Khumalo, Wayetu Moore, Jibrin Ibrahim, Yolande Mukagasana, Tolu Daniel, Temi Oh, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Fakhrriyyah Hashim, Arit Okpo, Ayodeji Osowobi, Howard Maximus, Abdourahman Waberi, Molara Wood, Sylvia Ofili, Gavin Evans, Reni Eddo-Lodge, Hakim Adi amongst others.

Eighth edition (2020)

The eighth edition of the festival, themed “Black Magic,” which was earlier announced to be scheduled for Lagos, from 22 to 25 October 2020 was moved online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

''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. 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, with Mahamat Saleh Haroun and with Odafe Atogun.
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, artistic director of London's Southbank Centre, and a founder of the Women of the World Festival.
The 2018 edition of the Ake Review was edited by Molara Wood. It has the year's headliner Nuruddin Farah on the cover.
The 2019 edition, edited by Molara Wood, had Tsitsi Dangarembga on the cover. It also includes an interview with Tsitsi Dangarembga who was the headliner that year.