ZAM is a mediapartner of the 2016 Ake Arts & Book Festival. The festival started today at the Arts and Culture Centre in Abeokuta, Nigeria and runs from 15-19 November. An amazing festival program filled with literature, art, theatre, film, dance, poetry, book chats, discussions to promote and celebrate African creativity.

This year’s edition is themed “Beneath this Skin’’. Distinguished Professor, renowned writer, and literary icon Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is the headliner at the 2016 edition of Ake Arts and Book Festival. He will sit in conversation with Okey Ndibe about his life and works. He will also be talking about his latest book Birth of a Dream Weaver.

Furthermore, the festival will host 9 book chats which will feature 18 authors like Alain Mabanckou, Helon Habila, Laila Lalami, Petina Gappah, Teju Cole, Panashe Chigumadzi, Tendai Huchu, Chinelo Okparanta, Noviolet Bulawayo, Jowhor Ile, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Odafe Atogun, Tade Thompson, Toni Kan and many more.

In 12 stimulating panel discussions Ake will engage both new voices and established ones, with focus on identities, race, gender, mental health in fiction, the rise and fall of African economies. Ake will also explore exciting genres such as erotica, horror fiction, and prison stories. At the 2 art exhibitions, the works of Laolu Senbanjo whose “Sacred Art of the Ori” featured on Beyonce’s latest album Lemonade; and Fatima Abubakar who captures the lives of the people of Borno State in a stunning series of photographs will be on display. An acoustic music concert with Brymo, Falana, Adunni and Nefertiti will also entertain the audience at the Festival.

View the website and festival program here.