I was at the Farafina Visual Arts andf Literature Event just a couple of minutes ago (I posted an AD about it a while back). Anyways, I attended it and it was fun.
On getting there, I met Enitan, my classmate from school. We were suprised to see each other because apparently that was the last place I expected to find her and vice versa. Anyways, after talking for a while, the event kicked off with a poetry recitation by Chiedu (I really cant remember his last name, forgive me). Anyways he did three poems, I cant remeber the first one (I am sorry again), 'The People' and 'Happy Christmasaing' which was the one that was very beautiful. He is like a male Maya Angelou.
After that, there was an art exhibition by Adolphus Okpara, a photographer. He opened his exhibition with a poem called 'Dahomey meets Benin' and I have forgoteen the poet (I dont know why I am forgetting these little details). Anywyas, his works were very very very impressive. I I had money, I would have purchased one.
Next was the book readings. Eghosa Imasuen (who by the way is Enitan's uncle or cousin; not too sure) read from his book 'To Saint Patrick'. The book is amazing, trust me, I am not exagerrating. I think we have similar writing techniqyes but hey, it's just a thought. The book is about Gen. Murtalal Mohammed who is apparrently 'alive'. Don't worry, he is six fet under. This is just fiction. The second book reading was from Nnedi Okoroafor who by the way i a sensational Nigerian-American author. She read from her book 'Zara, The Windseeker'. It is about a 13 year old girl named Zara who can fly thanks to her 'dada'. Tight, right?
Next was a song by Kafayat Quadri. The song is called 'Wa Si Ile Eko', a Yoruba song that encourages young people to go to school. Sge did it accompnied by an acoustic guitar. Which she playes herself. Followed awas a poem recited by Jumoke Verissimo from her new anthology 'I Am Memory' The poem was about the Niger Delta and it was amzing.
The famous Timi Dakolo came and also performed a song that I really dont know the name to. He then gave us a sneak preview to his new single 'This Little Light of Mine'. Kafayat Quadri came again and did a spoken word skit (that is what I think it was). Can't really remeber what it was about (I really should go se a doctor, why am I forgetting things?)
Sisters, Chioma and Oluchi then came to talk about their tour around Africa. They have a project called Celebrate Africa and the aim is to correct the mbalances and the distortion of Africa to Africans and the world in general. They travled for five months by road to Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso and others. It is actually a very cool project to me because it is fun and it has good intentions. They will tour 7 states in Nigeria from december to January and they will go to Central, East, North & South Africa from Febuary. Onbe thing that struck me about these girls is that they actually quit their jobs to do this and trust me it takes GUTS! For more info check out their site http://www.celebrateafrica.net/blog.html
Ok...So I didn't stay to the end. I left when they wanted to show a filmshow about Ben Okri. Note, I did not leave cause I was bored but because the event was on the Island and I live on the Mainland and I have to beat traffic so I can be home on time. But I left with something special, Award winning Nigerian Author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, gave me her authograph. Now please y'all dont hate aite...lol! for more info visit http://thefarafinist.blogspot.com/
It was an amazing event in general. I had fun. Maybe I should organize something like this for Christian Writers and artistes. So all the good Christian Writers and artistes, email me so we can work something out ok? Let us show the world what we have to offer. Maybe we will have Abidemi Sanusi, Ted Dekker, and Seye...lol
Who Knows?
Till My next post...
I still remain
The Talkaholic
Trotcha!
Harry, I do not see Christian writers in Nigeria having any future when people have not finished reading the Bible. I'm sorry this might sound damaging. We've heard enough of the lies from the Bible...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's cool that you enjoyed the event. Jumoke's collection is published by DADA Books, my publisher and we are hosting the New Voice Literature Festival in Nsukka for all writers, not Christian writers alone...so, that your idea sounds a bit self-centred and cliched.
Cheers,
Onyeka, my site is a site that promotes Christian values and I am a Christian who believes strongly in Christian writers. If you have a problem with that then keep it to yourself. i am saying this with all the love in my heart. I don't appreciate you saying that Christian writers have no future. What is that supposed to mean?Have you read Kemi's Journal? Don't come here and force your views here. Whether you don't see a possiblity of this happening, we are going to have a Christian Literary event...right before your very eyes and I do not appreciate you calling my idea self-centerd and cliched. It was wrong you hurt my feelings and honestly I am not happy.
ReplyDeleteHello talkaholic
ReplyDeleteYou must get yourself thicker skin o. The world is full of people who'd attack you for no reason other than you have different opinions. Best response? Ignore them.
@ Onyeka, I don't think you heard the joy in Harry's blog entry. He was gushing - maybe a bit naively - happy with the prospect of 9ja writers, you included, hosting readings and lovely literary events. So he's pentecostal, so what? Allow him this small joy.
In case you question my point of view, I am agnostic, leaning towards atheistic.
So you see, your views didn't excuse words like 'self-centred', 'cliched'. Guy, you really must self-censor your opinions, or at least couch them more skilfully; hurting people doesn't a better point make.
@ Harry...
Enitan's cousin here...
So have you read the book?
Did you like it.
Some advice: expand your views. In my opinion, there's nothing like a xtian, muslim, or pagan writer. There are good writers and bad writers; there are writers who hide inadequacies behind genres and associations. Just write, from the heart, from the depths of your humanity - or from where the spirit leads you. This is what matters, SKILL. Don't make that mistake of locking yourself up, it's so neo-American and bland. I guess that was what Onyeka was trying to say. Harry do not be a christain writer, be a great writer who happens to be a devout christian. Hold fellowships for writers with similar views, but remember that what brings you together is faith, not skill. You must feel strongly, but to succeed in fiction you must have empathy, something your cristian background should help you with, and you can never have self-pity; self-doubt maybe, for it helps you question yourself, your abilty, your skill, and thus leads to a better hewn book, but never self-pity. I tend to rant when I get going, so, i'm gonna stop here. Just keep on writing.
Hello talkaholic
ReplyDeleteYou must get yourself thicker skin o. The world is full of people who'd attack you for no reason other than you have different opinions. Best response? Ignore them.
@ Onyeka, I don't think you heard the joy in Harry's blog entry. He was gushing - maybe a bit naively - happy with the prospect of 9ja writers, you included, hosting readings and lovely literary events. So he's pentecostal, so what? Allow him this small joy.
In case you question my point of view, I am agnostic, leaning towards atheistic.
So you see, your views didn't excuse words like 'self-centred', 'cliched'. Guy, you really must self-censor your opinions, or at least couch them more skilfully; hurting people doesn't a better point make.
@ Harry...
Enitan's cousin here...
So have you read the book?
Did you like it.
Some advice: expand your views. In my opinion, there's nothing like a xtian, muslim, or pagan writer. There are good writers and bad writers; there are writers who hide inadequacies behind genres and associations. Just write, from the heart, from the depths of your humanity - or from where the spirit leads you. This is what matters, SKILL. Don't make that mistake of locking yourself up, it's so neo-American and bland. I guess that was what Onyeka was trying to say. Harry do not be a christain writer, be a great writer who happens to be a devout christian. Hold fellowships for writers with similar views, but remember that what brings you together is faith, not skill. You must feel strongly, but to succeed in fiction you must have empathy, something your cristian background should help you with, and you can never have self-pity; self-doubt maybe, for it helps you question yourself, your abilty, your skill, and thus leads to a better hewn book, but never self-pity. I tend to rant when I get going, so, i'm gonna stop here. Just keep on writing.