Saturday 21 July 2012

Nigerian literature-spice for the London 2012 Olympics

Committee for Relevant Art, CORA takes eight Nigerian authors to the London 2012 Olympics, courtesy of the newly opened Nigeria House in the city.

Rotimi Babatunde, winner of Caine Prize for African Writing 2012
Planned to span July 23 through August 15, at Theatre Royale, Stratford Eas, the event is to showcase Nigerian Arts, Culture and Lifestyle in the course of the Olympics. The literature segment include Diran Adebayo, Sefi Atta; Helon Habila, Ade Solanke, Zainabu Jallo, Nnorom Azuonye, Chibundu Onuzo, and Rotimi Babatunde, whose recent win of the Caine Prize is still being celebrated. The segment features book display and sessions with top Nigerian writers.

Titled Nigeria House Literature Showcase, the event is designed to exhibit the best of Nigerian Literature through book readings, conversations on literature and a display of a wide range of books by Nigerian authors at home and in the Diaspora. 

The authors would be on parade on the 26, 30 and 31 of July 2012 at Theatre Royale Stratford East. Their books will be on display and available for sale, alongside other books by Nigerian authors, at the same venue from the July 24 through  August 3 2012.

CORA organises the quarterly Art Stampede, in Nigeria since 1991, as well as the yearly Lagos Book and Art Festival, LABAF since 1999. 

The event is sponsored by the Bank of Industry and is produced by British Council and CORA Art & Cultural Foundation.
Each of the three sessions would be moderated by three UK-based Nigerian artistes and culture advocates: Dr Sola Adeyemi, a theatre artiste, scholar and lecturer at the Goldsmith Colege, London; Lookman Sanusi, theatre artiste, and founder of the Bubbles FM, London;  Ike Anya, a medical doctor and creative writer and literary critic. 

Mr Ayo Arigbabu, writer and publisher of DaDa Books, and director of projects for CORA, is coordinating the event that is aimed at showcasing the best of Nigeria’s creative industries to the teming crowd expected throughout the duration of the event. 

2 comments:

  1. This is indeed a good way to promote Nigerian literature.

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  2. Omohan Ebhodaghe is a London, UK-based third generation Nigerian poet, short story writer and novelist, courtesy of a British Council, Lagos office assistance. He wrote the long-awaited and expected first GREAT Nigerian novel titled IN THE MIDST OF LOAFERS, 945 pages, 46 lines per a page. To contact him you check the Society of Authors, London, UK website, at http://www.societyofauthors.org/node/48199. Good luck.

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