Here’s a shortlist of what’s on this year. Please confirm these dates with the organisations concerned, as the Covid-19 pandemic may have had an impact on schedules.
Africa Day Online Concert – Hosted by Idris Elba. May 25
This year, Africa Day* will be celebrated as a virtual pan-African affair, a concert featuring trailblazers from across the content. The event will also shine a light on the next wave of pan-African talent making their mark on the world stage. You can watch the event on YouTube at 7pm and also on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) at 9pm. Host Idris Elba said this about the celebration:
“I’m committed to shining a light on African culture, heritage and the arts. During a year when globally we have all had to reflect deeply on our purpose, I’ve taken inspiration from the continent with its diversity of voices, creativity and innovation. Here’s to Africa’s Next Global Wave.”
*Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963. It is celebrated around the world.
Africa Writes – Literature Festival 1 to 30 September 2021
The renowned Africa Writes contemporary literature festival is an initiative by the Royal African Society in partnership with the British Library. This year marks the ninth edition of the biennial festival, which showcases established and emerging writing talent from across Africa and the diaspora. The festival comprises book launches, Q and As, author readings, and a range of other literature-focused activities. Previous headline speakers have included literature titans such as Ben Okri, Alain Mabanckou and Chigozie Obioma.
This year’s programme will focus on Imagination, Pleasure and Activism and will take the form of a blended virtual and in-person programme from 1 – 30 September both online and at The British Library.
This year will also see the second edition of the Lifetime Achievement in African literature Award, which will be announced during the course of the festival.
In 2020, a weekend pass to the event (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) gave you access to all the events (cost £20). There are concessions available for all tickets, and if you are a member of the Royal African Society you should be eligible for a discount of 40%. For more information and current prices, contact the British Library Box Office on +44 (0)1937 546546 or email boxoffice@bl.uk
Ake Arts and Book Festival – 28 to 31 Oct 2021
Founded in 2013 and now in its ninth year, Ake is the festival for lovers of literature, art, theatre, film, dance, poetry that takes place over four days. Home of the Ake Arts and Book Festival is Abeokuta, in Lagos State, Nigeria, but the festival is now available to its global audiences digitally. There are ‘book chats’ and a variety of panels celebrating African ideas and African creativity
TALKS
A night in with Buki Papillon
27 March 2021, 6.30 pm
To mark the publication of her fascinating new book An Ordinary Wonder, a powerful coming of age story of an intersex twin, Oto, who is forced to live as a boy despite being convinced that they are a girl. You can purchase a ‘book and ticket’ package includes a unique ticket for the stream, and a copy of the book.
African philosophy and the ethics of ‘I-beg-you’
15 April 2021, 7.30 pm
FREE
Professor Nimi Wariboko will give a lecture on the ethical challenges of religion and politics in Africa
LOOT: Britain and the Benin Bronzes
Thursday 1 April, 6pm
The story of a powerful West African kingdom & British imperial greed. The dispersal of the Bronzes and today’s debate about their future.
Join the Royal African Society and the Centre of African Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), for the launch of LOOT – Britain and the Benin Bronzes by renowned BBC journalist, Barnaby Phillips.
Do Not Disturb
Tuesday 13 April, 2pm
Do Not Disturb is a dramatic recasting of the modern history of Africa’s Great Lakes region, an area blighted by the greatest genocide of the twentieth century.
Join the Centre of African Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and Royal African Society for the launch of Do Not Disturb by distinguished international journalist, Michela Wrong.
FILM
We are Tano – TBC
Tano, meaning ‘five’ in Swahili, is the umbrella name of the UK’s biggest, independently run African film festivals: Africa in Motion in Edinburgh/Glasgow, Afrika Eye in Bristol, the Cambridge African Film Festival (CAFF), Film Africa in London, and Watch-Africa Cymru (Wales). The Tano network collaborates with its members to identify films to screen across the country and to collaborate on ways to showcase the best of African cinematic talent in the diaspora. Last year, We are Tano showcased a magnificent selection of ten contemporary African features from the past 10 years, including features such as As I Open My Eyes, Something Necessary and Supa Modo. The season runs from 1October to 21 October as part of Black History Month on a pay-what-you-wish basis. All films are available on weartano.org
Film Africa by the Royal African Society – TBC
Established in 2011, Film Africa showcases the best from African filmmaking, from across the continent and the diaspora. In addition to great cinema, you can enjoy a number of supporting events such as Q and As with directors, workshops and family activities. Film Africa’s Baobab Award recognises emerging talent through two separate awards: the Best Short Film award and the Audience Award for Best Feature Film. Last year’s Baobab Award nominees included the outstanding Dolapo is Fine, directed by Ethosheia Hylton and What Did You Dream (South Africa), by director Karabo Lediga.
Visit https://www.filmafrica.org/
Africa In Motion – TBC
Now entering its sixteenth edition, the outstanding Africa in Motion (AiM) aims to ‘highlight the rich diversity of African filmmaking and storytelling.’ Last year’s film offerings had distinct strands: Diaspora (an exploration of unique diasporic predicaments), Mamas (examining our relationship with our mothers – guardians of history ‘sitting astride our lives’), Industry (highlighting a stellar selection of African diasporic talent and featuring Q and As and masterclasses), Queer Africa ( exploring the ‘shifting landscape of queerness in Africa’) and Women in Focus (a sensitively executed portrait of women celebrating the strength and resilience of women). AiM also hosts its own Short Film Competition, in which you – the audience – can vote on any of the short films nominated for AiM’s Audience Award. The nominated films are available to watch free of charge on the AiM website.
BONUS: Africa in Motion also hosts the African Film Database, a platform that provides anyone with an interest in African films with the ability to search through the catalogue of more than 1,000 films. Visit https://www.africa-in-motion.org.uk/
