Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, will take center stage at The Africa Centre in London for a vibrant nine-day programme celebrating his immense contributions to literature, culture, and human rights advocacy.
The event, organized in partnership with Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, Nigeria (WSICE), is part of the celebrations marking the literary icon’s 90th birthday on July 13.
The programme, running from Friday, July 19 to Saturday, July 27, will feature a variety of events including exhibitions, roundtables, film screenings, live music performances, and poetry recitals.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore Soyinka’s literary journey through “WS: A Life in Full” — a comprehensive display of his published works and photographs from his personal archive.
The exhibition will also include “NINE Seasons of KONGI (Wole Soyinka),” a collection of paintings by youth members of Vision of The Child mentored by Soyinka, and the “Africa I-D-E-N-T-I-T-Y,” a touring showcase based on public readings of his poems realized in nine European cities.
Another highlight is the “ORI Series II (For WS),” a collection of conceptual watercolor drawings by UK-based artist Abolore Shobayo.
One of the key events will be the London premiere of a new feature film inspired by Soyinka’s seminal prison memoirs, The Man Died.
This will be accompanied by a Q&A session with the director Awam Amkpa, producer Femi Odugbemi, and some members of the cast and crew. Additionally, Ebrohimie Road, a documentary about Soyinka’s former residence at the University of Ibadan from where he was arrested in 1967, will premiere in London.
This documentary features interviews with some of his children, siblings, and associates, with director Kola Tubosun engaging the public.
Other activities include daily screenings of films and documentaries related to Soyinka’s life and work, and “Kongi’s Nights,” a series of evening entertainments featuring live music performances by ED KEAZOR & the AfroFunk Collective, Juwon Ogungbe, Lekan Babalola, Ola Onabule, Aduke, Kayefi, MeOlogo, Bumi Thomas, and DJ Abass. There will also be poetry recitals and wine-tasting sessions.
Talks, seminars, and workshops on topics such as “Navigating the New Publishing Industry,” “The Impact of AI on Culture & Identity,” “Culture Sponsorship & Corporate Social Responsibility,” and a symposium titled “The Future Is Now – A Decolonisation Intersection” by Bournemouth University will also take place.
Utopia Theatre will host a virtual unveiling of Soyinka’s portrait at the University of Sheffield.
Additionally, “Ijo-mode,” a dance workshop for youths with Peter Badejo, OBE, and the presentation of prizes to winners of an essay competition on “AI & New Media: Reimagining Culture, Identity & Humanity,” organized in partnership with TURAKA Art Centre, Chatham, are on the schedule.
Speaking ahead of the programme, CEO of The Africa Centre, Olu Alake, said, “This year holds dual cause for celebration: The Africa Centre’s 60th anniversary and the 90th birthday of a global literary giant, Wole Soyinka.
We are incredibly honoured to partner with WSICE in celebrating Professor Soyinka’s remarkable life and his long-standing association with the Centre, dating back to 1969.
He is not just a literary icon, but an integral part of our history. We are thrilled to host this momentous occasion and share Professor Soyinka’s story with all generations of literature lovers.”
