Sharjah African Literature Festival To Celebrate Cultural Dialogue From January 24 To 27

The Sharjah Festival of African Literature will be held from 24th to 27th January at Sharjah University City. This event, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and guided by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, aims to celebrate African culture through various activities. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the festival will feature a range of events including book talks, panel discussions, and workshops.

Over four days, attendees can participate in eight Book Talk sessions, three panel discussions, and 12 workshops designed for children. The festival will also include musical performances and roaming shows that highlight the vibrancy of African culture. The theme ‘The Tale of Africa’ underscores the festival's goal to promote cultural exchange between the Arab world and Africa.

The event will host 29 publishers from Africa and the UAE, featuring notable figures such as Nobel laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah and Wole Soyinka. This gathering provides an opportunity for the public to engage with prominent African literary voices. The festival's agenda is rich with activities aimed at showcasing the beauty of African literature.

A series of Book Talk discussions will explore curated titles and their diverse themes. These sessions aim to delve into various aspects of literature, offering insights into different narratives. Additionally, 12 interactive workshops are planned for young visitors, covering topics like African jewellery making, pottery, folklore storytelling, and storytelling stones.

Culinary enthusiasts can look forward to four cooking sessions led by Chef Lillian Elidah alongside Nigerian authors Ozoz Sokoh and Wana Udobang. These sessions offer a chance to experience traditional African culinary practices firsthand. The workshops are designed to provide an immersive experience into African traditions.

Three panel discussions will focus on themes such as African traditions, literary techniques, and storytelling methods. One session titled ‘Much More Than Wakanda’ will feature Guinean author Cheryl Ntumy, Nigerian writer Wole Talabi, and Zimbabwean author Tendai Huchu. They will discuss how historical, futuristic, and imaginative narratives enrich African culture beyond common stereotypes.

Panel Discussions Highlighting Literary Techniques

Kenyan storyteller Mara Menzies will lead a captivating storytelling session on the same day as these discussions. Another panel titled ‘Building Institutions that Promote Reading’ includes Emirati author Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Botswanan author Kenanao Phele, and Nigerian lawyer Ifeoma Esiri. They will explore strategies for encouraging reading habits within society.

Nigerian authors Fatima Bala, Chika Unigwe, Nnamdi Ehirim along with Emirati writer Salha Obaid will participate in a session called ‘Creating Timeless Characters’. This discussion focuses on developing characters that reflect both African and Middle Eastern cultures.

Musical Performances Enriching Cultural Exchange

The festival also features musical showcases that offer visitors a glimpse into traditional African rhythms. These performances highlight Sudanese pentatonic melodies and African-Arab musical fusions. On January 26th, South African opera singer Ann Masina will perform a special piece combining operatic artistry with South Africa’s vibrant sounds.

The event concludes with a poetry evening titled Voices Unbound moderated by Emirati poet Shaikha Al Mutairi. Six poets from the UAE and various African countries including Wana Udobang, Ali Al Abdan, Maryam Bukar among others will share their experiences through poetry.

This inaugural festival reflects Sharjah’s vision to connect continents through shared literary heritage. It serves as a platform for dialogue fostering deeper understanding while celebrating diverse cultures across borders.

With inputs from WAM