Yenagoa Book & Arts Festival is a tapestry of diverse voices, a kaleidoscope of creative expression, and a symphony of ideas. We have assembled an array of authors, actors, publishers, artists, culture administrators, book sellers, and book enthusiasts, each bringing their unique perspective to the table
AS the countdown to the maiden edition of Yenagoa Book & Arts Festival (YEBAF) 2024 continues, writers and artists visiting the Bayelsa State capital will first make a pilgrimage to the body of water made famous by one of the poets of the riverine lore, Gabriel Okara known as River Nun in Epetiama Kingdom of Bayelsa Local Government Area. This cultural pilgrimage will offer these men and women of letters and sundry artistic endeavours an opportunity to experience what Okara saw that inspired him to pen the immortal and evocative lines of ‘The Call of the River Nun’ and ‘The Fisherman’s Invocation’, two of his pieces billed to be performed by university students drawn from the locality.
The tour, also to Okara’s picturesque countryside, is to pay homage to the poet laureate who is a celebratory focus of YEBAF 2024. A literary soiree is also being planned for the home of His Majesty, writer and Chairman, Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, Bubaraye Dakolo of Epetiama Kingdom. The famous local cuisine made of plantain, known as ‘kekefia’, which the king romantically conjured in his novel, The Riddle of the Oil Thieves, will be served the adventurous party of festival goers.
Organised by 1402Book Lounge Initiative, Yenagoa Book & Arts Festival 2024 has as theme ‘Resilience: How Storytelling Shapes Our Lives’ which forms the keynote to be delivered by the Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei. Respondents to the keynote will be the writer Bina Nengi-Ilagha, actor Bimbo Manuel, Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Chapter, Somina Johnbull and Dr. Onyeka Ike with culture communicator Jahman Anikulapo moderating. His Majesty King Seiyifa Koroye will chair the festival proceedings.
According to the Festival Curator, Annette David-West, “Yenagoa Book & Arts Festival is a tapestry of diverse voices, a kaleidoscope of creative expression, and a symphony of ideas. We have assembled an array of authors, actors, publishers, artists, culture administrators, book sellers, and book enthusiasts, each bringing their unique perspective to the table.”
David-West, founder of of 1402Book Lounge Initiative, said the festival will also pay tribute to two eminent Ijaw sons, noting. “As we gather in this vibrant city, we honour two literary icons whose indelible marks continue to resonate In our collective consciousness. Prof. E.J. Alagoa, a titan of scholarship and a weaver of words, celebrates his 91st year, while Dr. Gabriel Okara, a master poet and novelist, continues to inspire us from beyond the veil. Their contributions to our literary heritage are a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit.”
Also, a book walk which David-West describes as a book walker will hold on Day-2 of the festival. The 3-kilometre walk will see book enthusiasts exchanging book gifts among themselves, as part of sustained efforts to spread the gospel of book reading that the festival is designed to propagate. The Book Walkers are enjoined to come with a book to give out, as they would also be gifted with a new book during the walk that will also see them making stops to read to Yenagoa citizens in a first-of-its kind public book reading event.
Among other tantalising programme line up are: ‘The Art in Business’ or business of art which will have a cross section of artists speaking on the business side of their art; photography session tagged ‘Resilience & Photography in the Niger Delta’ and will have a pioneering photographer and teacher Dr. Timi Amah leading discussions alongside other seasoned photographers such as Austin Mathias, Bodise Wilson and Perrin Oglafa; ‘Historical Niger Delta’, the celebratory event for Prof. E. J. Alagoa, which will have His Royal Majesty King Seiyifa Koroye, Josef Nengi-Ilagha (Pope Pen), Frank Opigo, Stephen Olali will speak on the historicisation of the oil-rich region and ‘Climate Advocacy & Art of the Niger Delta’, in partnership with NGO, Let the Earth Breathe Initiative will have His Majesty and writer King Bubaraye Dakolo, Murphy Biriabebe speak on it.
Others are a session on ‘Book Publishing & Marketing: Challenges and Opportunities’ which will feature MD/CEO of Masobe Books, Othuke Ominiabohs, Dr. Ikiemoye Iniamagha and Ebidenyefa Tarila-Nikade in session, to be moderated Festival Director, Annette David-West. A panel session on Speculative Fiction tagged ‘How the Past and Future Collide’ will feature the author of How to Make a Space Masquerade and publisher of speculative fiction magazine, Omenala, Mazi Nwonwu and a cast of workshop participants including Ebi Roberts and Hannah Onoguwe on speculative fiction recently organised by Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Bayelsa Chapter under the supervision of its chapter chairman, Murphy Biriabebe. Manuel and Chijoke Amu-Nnadi will have book chats to talk about their recently published works. Amu-Nnadi and Ebizimo Arabina will both perform from their poetry works to delight the audience.
- https://thearthubng.com/river-nun-book-walk-beckon-as-artists-converge-for-yenagoa-book-arts-festival/
