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Tag: Soyinka

  • I wrote the King and horseman in two and half days -Soyinka

    I wrote the King and horseman in two and half days -Soyinka

    Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka on Saturday disclosed he wrote the book, the King and his horseman in two and half days.

    He however said he had been nursing the idea for many years before deciding to put it into writing in a record time.

    He spoke at the unveiling of CreaTent and Books of Aphorisms by one of his mentees, Mohammed Bello.

    Soyinka, who cited the King and his Horseman as one of his best ever, said it is his creativity that made the book unique.

    He explained that other people have written about the myth about the King and the horseman.

    According to him: “Finally, I couldn’t help it anymore. So instead of committing, I found pleasure. Which is trying to restore a symbol that is standing right now, which has proved to me one of the most successful plays I’ve ever written.

    “But the important thing, and that’s what I want to address, the important thing is that writing that play did not begin when I sat down. Right? No. Obviously, it had been there.

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    “You see yourself in the subconscious, and finally, it is ready. Many people would not believe that I wrote that play in two and a half days. Literally, a month and a half.

    “That was the nature of it. The power to respond to it. Not necessarily immediately.”

    He encouraged writers not to be discouraged when they are stuck.

    He said: “And don’t worry if you wanted to write a play and it just didn’t come out and you had to do it. Go and do other things. Go and play soccer if you like.

    “Go and listen to music. Go and see your friends. Have a party. Join a construction gang who occupy themselves with the community. Anything whatsoever.

    “Inspiration is not mysterious. It’s a question of just opening your mind to take up what others are not. So I recommend this pamphlet.

    “Teachers, students, would be creative people. And always remember that there’s a link between people who tend to separate the literary arts, the painting, the talking. The thing is different from technological savvy.”

  • Lifetime achievement award for literary icon Soyinka

    Lifetime achievement award for literary icon Soyinka

    The maiden edition of Sharjah Festival of African Literature has presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

    The award was presented by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in recognition of Soyinka’s extraordinary contributions to African literature and his impact as a global literary icon.

    This event, which began on January 24 and ends today, was co-curated by the Book Buzz Foundation, founded and directed by a prominent literary figure renowned for curating the Ake Arts and Book Festival and the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival, Lola Shoneyin.

    Read Also: ‘Meeting Soyinka my most fulfilling experience as writer’

    The festival also attracted a stellar lineup of African literary voices, including Prof. Abdulrazak Gurnah, Alain Mabanckou, Jennifer Makumbi, Petina Gappah, Nnedi Okorafor, Peter Kimani, Yvonne Owuor, Chika Unigwe, Tendai Huchu, Wole Talabi, Cheryl Ntumi, Fatima Bala, Nnamdi Ehirim, and Umar Abubakar Sidi.

    Other literary personalities at the event included poets Wana Udobang, Maryam Bukar Hassan, and Deborah Johnson, as well as Dami Ajayi (author and poet), Ann Masina (South African singer).

    Notable guests who attended the event were Ifeoma Esiri, Mara Menzies, Ade Bantu, Amyn Bawa-Allah, Kenanao Phele, Wendy Njoroge, Abdulkareem Baba-Aminu and Dr. Olaokun Soyinka.

    The festival reflects the UAE’s dedication to fostering global literary exchange and highlighting African stories and culture on an international stage.

  • Freedom Vibes 9.0 fetes Soyinka at LABAF

    Freedom Vibes 9.0 fetes Soyinka at LABAF

    The founder, Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) Mr. Ayodele Ganiu has described the Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka as a symbol of the Nigerian resilience and indeed a generational impact leader. He said since the return of democracy in Nigeria, Soyinka has remained a strong voice for the voiceless and the mouthpiece of the downtrodden.

    Ganiu noted that Soyinka’s art has been complemented with political writing and direct engagement in politics, which have produced immense positive impact on Nigeria, Africa and the world.

    “In 1967, for speaking out against the Nigerian civil war, Soyinka was accused of conspiring with Biafran leaders, and was imprisoned for 22 months.

    “On several occasions, Soyinka has been in exile for his critical works against bad governance. He was one of Nigeria’s foremost activists who narrowly escaped assassination plots under the military government of the late General Sanni Abacha in the 90s. Soyinka was later accused of treason with trumped-up charges that could have resulted in death penalty.

    “Tonight, UVA is proud to dedicate this event in his honour to celebrate the real African Giant at 90,” he added.

    Ganiyu spoke at the Freedom Vibes 9.0 @ LABAF penultimate Sunday, which featured the unveiling of Nanle, an inspiring new music video by Tijani Usman (Tijay Webster), winner of the 2023/2024 Freedom Vibes Academy session at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. The event was organised by Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) to reflect and pay homage to one of Africa’s most illustrious cultural icons, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who turned 90 this year, for his many sacrifices and commitment to a better world.

    The Executive Producer recalled that in 2012, the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group threatened him as their next target. ‘He was undeterred. His courage, strength, and resilience have inspired us at UVA and we are motivated by all that he has accomplished in life.’

    He added that for all his contributions to Nigeria, Africa and the world, Soyinka is a symbol of the Nigerian resilience and indeed a generational impact leader.

    ‘Soyinka, a playwright, novelist, poet and essayist has shared with the world a literary language marked by great scope and richness of words. He is the first sub Saharan African to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature, the highest global honour in that field.

    During his Nobel Prize acceptance speech in 1986, Soyinka seized the opportunity of that moment to call out the Apartheid leaders. He focused the attention of the world on the injustice in South Africa and dedicated his award to Nelson Mandela who was in prison at the time,” he said.

    According to Ganiyu, at UVA it is an honour to have had the opportunity of directly engaging with Soyinka, tapping from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

    He observed that even before the physical interactions with him, Soyinka had been a symbol of the struggle for artistic freedom.

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    “Supporting our work with his name and voice have facilitated the release of artists from prison. And to Soyinka, it does not matter whether the artist is Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Igala, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Xhosa, Zulu or Asanti, Muslim, Christian, traditionalist, Buddhist, Hindu, or whatever. As long as you’re a human being, you deserve to enjoy your fundamental rights,” he said.

    Chairman of UVA, Jahman Anikulapo said festivals in Africa  must have meaning to the community, describing the recent court judgment restraining Kano Censors Board from prosecuting filmmaker Hajiya Amart, as a significant progress in its advocacy for reforms in government actions and policies that hinder artistic freedom in the country. He noted that arts is about freedom.

    “If art is not about freedom, it is not art. It is flat art. It is dead art,” he added..

    Research & Advocacy Manager, Unchained Vibes Africa, Green Queen, Sola Alamutu said the event is designed to celebrate the unyielding power of Art as a beacon of hope.

    She disclosed that Freedom Vibes is the flagship programme of Unchained Vibes Africa, which is a series of events geared towards promoting artists’ freedom of expression, and the use of music and artistic expressions for civic engagements. “Freedom Vibes is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), United States” she added.

    The objectives of UVA include: To advocate for reforms in government actions, policies, and laws that hinder artistic freedom;

    To educate and mobilize members of the artistic community to become democratic and human rights activists and to advocate for free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.

    The night featured comedy, performance by

    a 2-man Ijolomo group on the many aspects of freedom as beacon of hope and a special performance of Nanle by the duo of Tijani Usman and

    Roots Mahogany and testimonials by participants at the Academy.

    It also had in attendance patrons of the arts such as Kayode Aderionkun, Executive Director, Elixir Trust Foundation, Emmanuel Ikule, some partners, artistes, and media representatives

  • LABAF, PIN ARTHUB gather 30 poets for Soyinka

    LABAF, PIN ARTHUB gather 30 poets for Soyinka

    Nigeria’s leading spoken word poet, Sage Hassan, is set to lead a team of A-list performance/ spokenword poets in honour of Prof. Wole Soyinka@90 to the 26th edition of Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF).

    Over 30 poets will grace the stage. In the team are the foremost Comrade Poet and curator of AJ House of Poetry in Lagos, Dagga Tolar; award-winning storyteller and poet Toby Abiodun; celebrated artist/performance poet, Evelyn D’Poet; winner of several performance and spoken word poetry contests, Kemi Bakare (aka Kemistree); Adigun Olushola (Solaspeaks) and performance/spokenword poets, Bold Seth, Tirwister Tiwistar, Solutionist Clementina and Jacob Sukpa respectively.

    According to the founder/curator of Poets in Nigeria, Eriata Oribhabor, this event offers an opportunity for cross-generational poets to share the same stage and lend their voice to the gamut of celebrations in honour of the global Icon, Prof Wole Soyinka. He stressed that the overall idea is to promote the ideals of justice and equity that the Nobel laureate represents.

    Read Also: Soyinka’s The Man Died returns home

    Also, an anthology of poems in his honour, titled Decades of Nine Hills and Thrills will be unveiled and presented to the Nobel laureate. Featured poets are expected to read their poems from the book. 

    I am Indomitable, Gabriel, Favour, Michael and Treasure Obi are rising spokenword poets that are bound to establish their feet on the acclaimed LABAF stage. 

    The event hold by 5pm on November 12 at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Lagos.

  • Soyinka’s The Man Died returns home

    Soyinka’s The Man Died returns home

    After a successful two-screening outing in London, The Man Died, the feature film inspired by Wole Soyinka’s memoir of same title, has returned to the home turf; set to feature in major film and literary festivals in the country.

    On Monday, November 4, the film which parades a galaxy of sterling actors and crew led by the AMVCA Actor-of-the year, Wale Ojo, Sam Dede and Norbert Young, among others, was screened at 7pm at the African International Film Festival, AFRIFF at The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos.

    Exploring the theme, Indigenous to Global: Cultural Wealth to Global Prosperity, AFRIFF  began on November 3 and will end on November 9, at various locations in Lagos.

    After AFRIFF, The Man Died is billed for a special screening on November 13, at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos as part of the Lagos Book & Art Festival, LABAF, which had declared its 2024 season The Soyinka Year, and dedicated its 26th edition to celebrating the eminent life and illustrious career of the renowned poet and dramatist.

    Described as the ‘biggest cultural picnic on the continent of Africa’, the one-week LABAF is exploring the theme, Breakout: Hope is a Stubborn Thing, with over 60 events staged at its traditional venue, Freedom Park, Lagos Island and virtually.

    The Man Died, (TMD) will also feature as the ‘opening film’, at the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival, ENIFF in Enugu on November 27. Inspired by the long history Eastern Nigeria has with Nollywood and the African storytelling industry, ENIFF 2024 explores the theme,  Reimagine, focusing on how storytelling can reshape narratives and drive social impact.

    Since its first screening on July 12 in Lagos to mark the Nobel laureate’s 90th birthday (July 13), The Man Died had been abroad; July at the Africa Centre, London as part of a 9-day feast to commemorate Soyinka’s 90th birthday anniversary; it returned home on October 5 as part of the Quramo Festival of Words, QFest. It had then gone abroad, featuring in October at the ‘Streamfest’ segment of the Labone Dalogues of the New York University in Accra, Ghana. It returned to London later October to feature at the Film Africa Festival, FAF, with an educational shot at the University of East Anglia, Norwich; and at the Streamfest of the ‘Labone Dialogues’ (Oct, 11, New York University, NYU Accra).

    Read Also: At 90, I’m prepared for my death, says Soyinka

    Though yet to be formally released to the public cinema circuits or online streaming platforms, the film has been garnering volumes of critical acclaims, and in the review gaze of such top-notch global cinematic gatherings as the Berlinale in Germany, Catharge in Algeria, Jo’Burg Film Festival, SA; African Film Festival, New York, US, and FESPACO in Burkina Faso, among others. This is as it is also being reviewed by at least three major global streaming platforms, and international distribution channels.

    The various screenings, “are part of the strategic agenda to make the film register its impact in the two most important target audiences — Festival circuits and Educational institutions before it hits the commercial phase — theatre screening and online streaming,” stated the promoters, the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa, FPDFA, (iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Forum, iREP).

  • Soyinka and Christian faith

    Soyinka and Christian faith

    In a recent interview with Larry Madowo of the CNN, Prof Wole Soyinka said many things about his life and poetics, but one thing struck me: his dismissal of Christianity.

    He said he placed Orisha higher than Christianity and Islam.

     “For me it (Orisha worship) was more artistic, creative and also more mysterious. I don’t find much of the mysterious in Christianity and even less in Islam” Segun Ayobolu, ever one to fascinate with ideas, forwarded an essay to me written by one Moses Oludele Idowu. It is titled: Soyinka, Orisha and the Deconstruction of Christianity. I had listened with casual interest in Soyinka’s comment until I read Idowu. Idowu was excusing Soyinka’s lack of understanding of the mystery of Christianity because of the Anglican faith, which he said was denuded of the required mystery. I thought both Soyinka and Idowu got it wrong. Soyinka wrong on mystery and artistry of Christianity, and Idowu on Anglican faith, especially its mission aspect. To say that Christianity has less mystery or art than

    Orisha should address why this same Anglican faith knocked away Orisha into a second fiddle in the land of its birth. When the white man, especially the British, came, they torched the African religion with their light. Since they came, you have more Christians, especially in the Egba area of Soyinka’s birth than those who worship Orisha. Even when they show adherence to Orisha, it is  an afterthought.

    The Christian faith held sway just as they gave the uppercut to similar worships across the country. Without admitting it, Soyinka fell under the Christian spell while translating Fagunwa, whose writing is overwhelmed by Christianity.

     The Anglican faith is the English variant that bouched out of the fight between King Henry 16th and the papacy, and once the church was formed it became part of its colonizing force.

    The British came with the Bible and plough, and conquered society after society. Before we say that it was arms that empowered faith, we must admit that Christianity conquered Europe and rode it.

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     To conquer by arms is fragile, but to conquer the mind you need mystery. Christianity was stronger than British arms.

     Idowu made a good point about the mystery of the faith, referring to the virgin birth, the trinity, the resurrection, et al. But we must not forget the sway it has had since the time of Christ, corralling Judaism.

     Is that not mystery like the Crusades and its triumphal moments. That can be said of Islam as well. Christianity once was persecuted and since it could not be wiped out ,especially under Nero, it rose under Constantine.

    Religions that could not conquer it now bowed to it. Christianity, just like Islam, has been on a syncretic journey from age to age and continent to continent. One of its power is the mystification of the concept of love, hitherto poohpoohed before Christ. Morality was revanchist, an eye for an eye across ages. Artworks of enduring natures have been under Bible power from Dan Vinci to Angelo. Poets and writers have been under its power; Petrarch, Milton, Blake, Dickens. One of such works is Paradise Lost. Thomas Mann’s Joseph and His Brothers is an epic of the 20th century. The Bible has been regarded even by those who loathe it as a book of great writers: the Pentateuch, Psalms, Isaiah, the Gospels, and of course, the illuminations of Paul.

     The bard of all bards, William Shakespeare, sometimes almost regurgitated the Bible. Hence Abraham Lincoln, no Christian, could not live it down. Western laws and civilisations issued from Bible tissues. French best-known novelist today Michel Houellebecq has asserted that Europe is failing because it has abandoned its Christian roots.

     Idowu’s claim that the Anglican was not alive and hence birthed the Babalolas and African churches is a contradiction. Without Anglican, where would the African churches or CAC’s have found inspiration? It is the idea of being reborn, a central Chrisian ethic. “Except a corn of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone. But when it dies, it gives forth much fruit,” says Christ. It is what happens in a dynamic society.

    The one that dies gives birth. It is therefore living in a new form. It is power that Dostoyevsky, another writer under Bible spell, described as mystery, miracle and authority. You need all that to flourish as a faith. Both Christianity and Islam have manifested these. It is from their essential power and mystery that the African churches arose. They exercised cultural and syncretic adaptations. Paul said, the law is “not a school master.”

  • At 90, I’m prepared for my death, says Soyinka

    At 90, I’m prepared for my death, says Soyinka

    Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has said he has “made arrangements” for his death even though he also plans a vacation.

    At 90, the playwright, essayist, novelist and poet discussed everything from his artistic inspirations to his plans in an interview with CNN.

    Soyinka shared his unconventional way of marking birthdays: retreating into the forest to embrace solitude.

    He said: “Usually what I do on my birthdays is disappear into the forest. I enjoy my solitude enormously.

    “The annoying thing also is that I don’t feel 90. I think I just have taken birthdays for granted.”

    His home in Abeokuta, filled with modern art and artefacts, reflects the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, as well as his need for peace. Soyinka admitted: “Maybe secretly I long for company, and that’s why I accumulate all these.”

    According to the renowned literary figure, his home is more than a sanctuary, but also a testament to his environmental activism.

    Read Also: Soyinka gets Cuba’s Union of Writers and Artistes’ global award

    The conversation also touched on Soyinka’s love for nature, an effort to recreate the natural landscape that once surrounded him, especially his reforestation project on the estate, which he refers to as “the autonomous republic of Ijegba.”

    “When I moved in here, it was entirely forested. All these were my hunting grounds.

    “I really felt I was in a different country, and I could just stay here and cut off the rest of society,” he said.

    Asked about his future, Soyinka responds with a characteristic blend of wit and gravitas.

    “Future? I don’t want to be morbid, but you know what the future is, and I have made arrangements for that within this estate.

    “It’s where we’re all headed; it’s the future for everybody.”

    But before that inevitable future arrives, Soyinka revealed he has some plans.

    “The immediate thing is to go on a vacation; take a resolution which will be attested judicially, not to grant anymore interviews.”

  • Soyinka gets Cuba’s Union of Writers and Artistes’ global award

    Soyinka gets Cuba’s Union of Writers and Artistes’ global award

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has received Cuba’s Casa de las Americas the Haydee Santamaria Medal.

    First Secretary of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Cuba and President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, presented the award to Soyinka.

    Director of the Centre for Literary Research of Casa de las Americas, Jorge Fornet, announced this in a post on Cuban Presidency’s X handle.

    Fornet said awarding the medal to Soyinka in the name of the extraordinary woman was an act of justice and honour.

    After the ceremony, Diaz-Canel and Soyinka met, the Cuban president thanked Soyinka for his visit during a complex moment in the life of Cuba.

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    It was the visit of a brother who has always been fighting for the most just causes, he said.

    The medal is conferred on national and foreign citizens and groups who have shared the main objectives of the Casa: enrichment, defence and integration of the genuine cultures of the Cubans and the South.

    The event also celebrated Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of his first visit to Cuba.

    Soyinka said: “Cuba is also my home,” alluding to the strong ties uniting the northern Caribbean island and Africa.

    The 63rd anniversary of Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba coincided with the presentation of the organisation’s Dulce María Loynaz International Prize to Soyinka.

    Soyinka acknowledged having great political and cultural adventures in Cuba, recognising the role played by the Antillean nation in the liberation of Africa.

    “We must not allow ourselves to forget, because Cuba has shown that the pen and weapons of liberation count in achieving sovereignty and self-determination,” the Nobel Laureate said.

    Shortly before the ceremony, theatre critic and theorist, Omar Valiño, described Soyinka as a consistent man in his honest approach to life, noting that the Nobel Laureate draws from ancestral wisdom of Yoruba culture.

  • Soyinka at 90: Young achievers honoured

    Soyinka at 90: Young achievers honoured

    The 15th annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) has honoured ‘Vision of the Child’ and ‘Solution17 Community’ champions.

    Awardees include Princess Marinay, Valentine Udemadu, Haoma Worgwu, and child poet, Mofinfunoluwa Atilola. The award was presented by Executive Director of Wema Bank Plc, Oluwole Ajimisinmi.

    The ceremony formed part of events hosted by British High Commission in Lagos to celebrate Soyinka’s 90th birthday. It featured drum beats, live paintings, dance performances, fashion session, and opening of ‘African I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y – Nine Seasons of Wole Soyinka Exhibition’.

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    Ajimisinmi said: “Wema Bank is committed to youth development. This align with our mission to empower future leaders.

    “Wema Bank is one of the major sponsors of the 15th WSICE, and has provided support for events in Nigeria and London.”

    Africa Centre in London hosted a resourceful nine-day programme celebrating Soyinka’s contributions to literature, culture, and human/civil rights advocacy.

  • Soyinka and Yellow Vests

    Soyinka and Yellow Vests

    Let’s get this right. Professor Wole Soyinka is an asset to our society and to anyone. He is a man who has written plays and could be written as play against tyranny as he staged earlier this year. It is no happenstance that he is Nigeria’s most decorated literary figure, and the most revered. Quite fittingly, his name now garlands Nigeria top theatre when President Bola Tinubu named the National Theatre, Iganmu in Lagos, after him. Hardball can never underwrite any comment that underplays his value.

    Yet, even he can err. Recently he commented on the speech of the president in reaction to the protests in some major cities in the country. In a statement, he condemned the President for not condemning the use of live bullets, and asserted that the “time is long overdue, surely, to abandon, permanently, the anachronistic resort to lethal means by the security agencies of governance.”

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    He also commented on the items President Tinubu reeled out as measures he has taken to tackle the problems. He left that to experts. For a social commentator we expect more interest in order to enrich his understanding and context of the imbroglio of the past week. Rather he eulogized the hunger march as a staple of any protest. He also sidestepped the “collateral claims emblazoned on posters.” As a man of great subtlety, he should have looked at some of the issues emblazoned like the call for the overthrow of the 1999 constitution. That could not be collateral.

    But his reference to the Yellow Vests, a group in France that protested for years against high cost of living, was mistaken. He said the police did not wield any lethal weapons on them. Very wrong. He said what he saw lacked any provocation from the police. He should have researched more.

    The Yellow Vests careened out of control in cities and far-flung rural reaches. The police did not only use lethal weapons, they also lobbed grenades at them. About a dozen persons died during the protests, many lost the use of their limbs and eyes because of the weapons unleashed, including “flash-balls, tear gas, stun grenades, batons and water cannons.”

    We are witnesses to the ongoing turmoil in Britain and the prime minister has said he would not tolerate any form of unruly acts.

    President Tinubu said that in his speech. Hardball would like to know Professor Soyinka’s response to the damages in Kano and Kaduna, and the hoisting of flags and calls for the return of the army that he fought gallantly to their exit.