3rd March, 2015. Morning session
In the years following independence (1960’s for most African countries), many African writers including Chinua Achebe, Okot p’Bitek, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Nuruddin Farah, Ama Ata Aidoo, Flora Nwapa, wrote and published high quality literature which has withstood the test of time. Their works 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. They have heralded 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 poet, professor of literature and Head of Literature Department at Makerere University). Moderator: Dr. Danson Kahyana.
Autograph moment
At the book stand
One happy family
Second topic of the day, morning to afternoon session: Space and Identity in African Writing: Writing Beyond the West
African writers 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: Jennifer Makumbi (Uganda/UK), Noo Saro-Wiwa (Nigeria/UK), Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria/USA), and Juliane Okot Bitek (Uganda/Canada), explore these questions. Goretti Kyomuhendo (Uganda/UK) chairs the session.
