Some events are free and open to the public, others are strictly by invitation. Scroll down to see…
Highlights
Theme: Memoir and Truth
Dates: 1st – 6th March 2015
Place: Fairway Hotel, Kampala, Uganda
Date: Sunday 1 March 2015
Activity: Cultural Performance (registration required)
Time: 5.30 -8.30 pm
Venue: Ndere Troupe Cultural Centre, Ntinda
Persons in charge: Carole and Diana
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Date: Monday 2 March 2015 (Invitation only)
Time: 8.30 – 9am
Activity: Registration
Venue: Fairway Hotel
Persons in charge: Carole and Diana
Time: 9 – 10.30am
Topic: Presentations from Successful Literary Initiatives in Africa
- Timwa Lipenga (Malawi) Malawi Women Writers
- Bwesigye Bwa Mwesigire (Uganda) Writivism
- Sahro Ahmed (Somalia) Putland Women Writers Association
- Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva (Uganda) Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation
Chair: Mildred Barya (Uganda/USA)
Time: 10.30 -11am: TEA/COFFEE BREAK
Time: 11am -12.30pm
Topic: Presentations from Successful Literary Initiatives in Africa (continued)
- Hilda Twongyeirwe (Uganda) FEMRITE- Uganda Women Writers Association
- Louise Umutoni (Rwanda) Andika Ma
- Susan Nde Kwentie (Cameroon) Langaa Publishers
- Peter Kagayi (Uganda) Lantern Meet of Poets
- Shadreck Chikoti (Malawi) Pan African Publishing
Chair: Mildred Barya (Uganda/USA)
Time: 12.30- 2pm: LUNCH BREAK
Time: 5.30 – 7 pm (free event)
Activity: FEMRITE Readers/Writers Club (Free/Open to the public)
Venue: Kamwokya, FEMRITE Offices
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Date: Tuesday 3 March 2015 (Invitation only)
Time: 9 – 10.30am
Topic: African Literary Renaissance: Return to Glory or Superficial Gloss?
In the years following independence, many African writers were writing and publishing high quality literature which has to date withstood the test of time, including Chinua Achebe, Okot p’Bitek, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Nuruddin Farah, Ama Ata Aidoo, Flora Nwapa, to mention but a few. Their writings launched Africa’s literature on the international literary map. Similarly, the last two decades have witnessed a literary renaissance, with new voices of contemporary African writers earning global attention for their works. These include NoViolet Bulawayo, Chimamanda Adichie, Teju Cole, and many others. These new voices have heralded in a new era of literary optimism, which many regard as the return to the golden days. But is this impression the sound reality?
Provocateur: Dr Susan Kiguli (Uganda)
Chair: Dr Danson Kahyana (Uganda)
Time: 10.30 -11am: TEA/COFFEE BREAK
Time: 11– 12.30am
Topic: Space and identity in African writing: Writing Beyond the West
African writes in the Diaspora often have to navigate two challenges: the epistemological space in which they operate and the identity they hold; both of which are often in question. Is it possible for African writers in the Diaspora to represent an ‘authentic’ African identity? Or is their connection to Africa merely imagined? How much of their writing should be considered African? How do these writers fulfil the demands by their western publishers and markets, and at the same time cater for their African audiences?
Four African writers living and working in the Diaspora will explore these intriguing questions.
Panellists:
- Jennifer Makumbi (Uganda/ UK)
- Noo Saro-Wiwa (Nigeria/UK)
- Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria/ USA)
- Julianne Okot Bitek (Uganda/Cananda)
Chair: Goretti Kyomuhendo (Uganda/UK)
Time: 12.30- 2pm: LUNCH BREAK
Time: 4.30 – 7.30pm
Event: Keynote Speech by Prof. Zakes Mda followed by snacks and canapés reception
Topic: Memoir as Remembered Narrative
Venue: Fairway Hotel Gardens
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Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2015 (Invitation only)
Time: 9 – 10.30am
Topic: The Rise of Digital Literature and Publishing: Re-examining the Book Business in the 21st Century
Panellists
- Dilman Dila (Uganda) Lawino Literary Magazine
- Melissa Kyeyune ( Uganda) KHAMEL Publishers
Chair: Jackee Budesta Batanda (Uganda)
Time: 10.30 -11am: TEA/COFFEE BREAK
Time: 11am -12.30pm
Topic: Life Writing
Panellists:
- Noo Saro-Wiwa (Nigeria/UK) on writing Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria (Granta, 2012).
- Hilda Twongyeirwe (Uganda) on Mediating Rural Women’s Narratives
Chair: Timwa Lipenga (Malawi)
Time: 12.30- 2pm: LUNCH BREAK
Time: 4 – 6pm
Venue: African Centre for Media Excellence
Topic: The Shift from Journalism to Nonfiction: Challenges for African writers
Fiction currently dominates the world of African publishing, with non-fiction lagging far behind. Many non-fiction writers start their careers as journalists. To what extent is the relative rarity of non-fiction the result of existing weaknesses in the African media? What other factors – commercial, political, legal and historical – lie behind the disparity? Does a spate of new African biographies, memoirs and modern histories suggest the trend is now correcting itself? What steps can be taken to encourage future non-fiction writing in Africa?
Panellists:
- Michela Wrong (UK)
- Daniel Kalinaki (Uganda)
Chair: TBA
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Date: Thursday, 5 March 2015 (Invitation only)
Time: 9 – 10.30am
Topic: Literary Prizes and Contests for African writers: Focus on: The Etisalat Prize for Literature and The Africa39 Project
The emergence of literary prizes and writing contests for African writers in the past decade has boosted the creative energies of writers and propelled the winners to international stardom. The winning books are guaranteed high sales, and the financial benefits for the writer is assured. Is this true for all the winning writers?
Panellists
Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria/USA)
Jackee Budesta Batanda (Uganda)
Glaydah Namukasa (Uganda)
Songeziwe Mahlangu (South Africa)
Emma D’Costa (Commonwealth Writers, UK)
Chair: Julianne Okot Bitek (Uganda/Canada)
Time: 10.30 -11am: TEA/COFFEE BREAK
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Topic: The MFA Experience: What Writers Can Learn.
Provocateur: Prof. Zakes Mda (South Africa/USA)
Chair: Dr Charles Mulekwa (Uganda)
Time: 12.30- 2pm: LUNCH BREAK
Time: 6-8pm (free event)
Activity: Literary Evening of Public Readings and Poetry Recitals (Free/Open to the public)
Venue: Kati Kati Africa
Hosted by: Mildred Barya
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Date: Friday, 6 March 2015
Departure.
