Literary Cross-dressing & the Diaspora #AfricaWrites
Join me on Sunday 13 July, 13:45 – 14:45 at the British Library Conference Centre for a FREE Panel discussion with poets, performers, playwrights and screenwriters Inua Ellams, Nick Makoha, Ade Solanke and Bola Agbaje. Moderated by Sheila Ruiz, programme manager of The Royal African Society.
Literature has been traditionally categorised into one of three main genres – prose, poetry or drama. However, in today’s post-modern world, writers often borrow qualities from different forms to create their own unique style. In this session, we explore work of African Diaspora writers who move between the worlds of poetry, drama and fiction, crossing over different literary genres and even delving into other art forms. How do they define their literature and what inspires them? What is their creative process and how do they break down the barriers between the different literary genres? To what extent does the oral tradition, which permeates so many African cultures, influence their work? And what boundaries will they be crossing next?
About Africa Writes
Africa Writes is the Royal African Society’s annual literature festival. Every year we showcase established and emerging talent from the African continent and its diaspora in what is now the UK’s biggest celebration of contemporary African writing taking place over an exciting summer weekend. The festival features book launches, readings, author appearances, panel discussions, youth and children’s workshops, and other activities.
About the RAS
The Royal African Society is a membership organisation that fosters a better understanding of Africa in the UK and throughout the world. Our goal is to promote Africa globally in the spheres of business, politics, academia, arts and culture.