Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Festival > Join inspiring events as African festival goes global

Join inspiring events as African festival goes global

By Caroline King - October 22, 2020Posted in : Art, Cinema, Classes & Workshops, Festival, Literature, Music, Theatre

Leading arts and literature event, Aké Festival, is heading online for 2020, giving global audiences the chance to hear some of the most creative voices from across Africa.

The festival will be offering audiences a free programme of 65 inspiring talks, workshops, panel discussions and performances from the most exciting voices across Africa and the African diaspora.

Aké Festival goes digital

Now in its eighth year, Aké Festival is world’s largest collection of African creative voices on African soil and hosts some of the most sought-after, innovative voices in black thought.

The theme for the 2020 festival is African Time, in recognition of the global anti-racism movement that has gathered momentum and visibility in recent months.

Audiences from across the world are invited to join luminaries from contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, film, theatre, music and visual arts in discussions about some of the most critical issues of our time, including race, gender, identity, equality and empathy.

The 2020 festival programme

Over the course of the festival, you’ll be able to join 27 stimulating panel discussions and 20 author talks, as well as storytelling sessions, workshops, poetry performances, films, a concert, and a stage play.

Author Tayari Jones - Aké Festival
Author Tayari Jones will appear at this year’s Aké Festival

You’ll be able to hear topics under discussion, from intersectional feminism, blacktivism and colourism, to the burgeoning post-COVID mental health crisis and decolonisation of black spaces. Panel discussion highlights will include: Black Women Harnessing Anger for Social Change; Publishing While Black; Decolonising Feminism in Africa; Writing Queer, Writing Black; and Why African Needs Feminist Giants.

This year’s line-up of more than 130 authors, artists and creatives will include American best-selling author Tayari Jones; Booker Prize-winning Jamaican author Marlon James, who’ll join award-wining Nigerian-American science-fiction and fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor in a panel discussion; and two-time Giller Prize-winning Canadian author Esi Edugyan.

Beyond the world of literature, Aké Festival’s programme of film, music, theatre and visual arts will include a screening of new film Elders Corner; a concert featuring some of Africa’s most celebrated artists; and acclaimed new theatrical work Venus vs. Modernity, which will have its digital premiere on the evening of Saturday 24th October.

If you’re looking for more inspiring and creative online events, check these out.

When: 22nd – 25th October 2020
Where: Online
£: Free. Book a spot online

More info: akefestival.org

Related Posts

  • Your chance to own some Art on a Postcard
  • Take a literary wander in London this October
  • Dazed New World Festival brings theatre into the home

Tagged With: Free events, Online events, Online festivals

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

Fakes, forgeries and misinformation at Royal Society Late
Dragon Fish - The Royal Society Lates in March

Next month, the Royal Society’s Late event mixes tomfoolery with science as it tackles fake news and hoaxes…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Contrary Life