Wole Soyinka is set to be the focal point of attention at The Africa Centre in London as he celebrates his 90th birthday.
The nine-day program, organized in honour of his significant contributions to literature, culture, and human/civil rights advocacy, will feature various activities such as exhibitions, roundtables, film screenings, live music performances, and poetry recitals. The event, a collaboration between the Africa Centre London and Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, Nigeria (WSICE), aims to pay tribute to the Nobel Laureate.
During the program, running from July 19 to 27, 2024, The Africa Centre will host a range of events including displays of Soyinka’s published works and personal photographs in ‘WS: A Life in Full’, as well as a collection of paintings by youth mentored by Soyinka. Additionally, there will be screenings of films inspired by Soyinka’s life, including the London premiere of a new feature film based on his prison memoirs.
The program will also include talks and workshops on various topics such as the impact of AI on culture and identity. Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, expressed excitement about the upcoming celebration, highlighting the dual significance of the event in honouring both the Centre’s 60th anniversary and Soyinka’s 90th birthday.
Teju Kareem, executive producer of WSICE, praised Soyinka’s lifelong dedication to promoting freedom and equality, describing his work as a global service to humanity.
