By Sabeehah Saleq, Erin Evett and Michaela O’Callaghan
Beyond Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frances E.W. Harper and Harriet Jacobs with Bonnets at Dawn
13 October, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
This online event will feature the dynamic duo from Bonnets at Dawn, a podcast all about 18th, 19th and 20th century women writers. This event will discuss American abolitionist writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and her relationship with African American authors Frances E.W. Harper and Harriet Jacobs. Frances E.W Harper was one of the first African-American women to publish a novel and the first to publish a short story. Harriet Jacobs is one of the most famous African-American slaves during the time of the Civil War having written Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl, an autobiography now considered an essential read in American Literature. Learn more about these influential writers and discuss their contribution to American literature, and the shaping of Black history. Order tickets here.
Join Pauline Campbell in Conversation with Ahmna Mohdin
14 October, 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Published by the adult imprint of Nobrow press, Imprint 27, is Rice and Peas and Fish and Chips, a brilliant part-memoir-part-commentary that explores contemporary Black History in an accessible manner. Join Pauline Campbell as she explores what it means to be British as a first-generation immigrant child of Caribbean parents. Book your tickets here.
Writing is Resisting: Literature by Black Women
15 October, 5:00 p.m.
Join writers Lucía Asué Mbomío Rubio and Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro in conversation with Dayana Catá discussing Black women in literature, and the different paths to discovering women of Afro descent in literature. This talk is in Spanish. For more information, click here.
The Hausa International Book and Arts Festival
21–23 October
This insightful festival aims to create discourse around Hausa as a language through displaying history, art, music and literature to new audiences. The event will highlight the best of contemporary African talent and creativity in Hausa. With this being the first edition of this promising new festival, the theme is Space. The event will explore the themes of space of belonging, the space of stories and the spaces of our humanity. Find out more about the event here.
Africa Writes 2021
4–24 October
This festival is run by the Royal African Society in partnership with the British Library. It is a celebration of contemporary literature from Africa and is a mix of online and in-person events with the events held at the British Library and 180 The Strand. There are a range of workshops and panels available.
These are some of our highlights:
Listen to Patrice Lawrence amongst others on 15 October as they discuss Happy Here, a collection of stories and poems for young readers exploring themes of joy and community.
African Muslim Women Writing Back on 16 October is a panel discussion centring on the narratives of African Muslim women.
Writing as Radical Activism is on 19 October and explores the relationship between essay writing and activism, and how you can hone your essay writing skills to encourage change.
On 21 October, join in with Nii Ayikwei-Parkes, Boakyewaa Glover and Afia Atakora as they discuss the real and fantastic in contemporary Ghanaian literature.
On Saturday 23 October is Inherited: All Our Names, a poetry and art evening in which poet Raymon Antorbus performs from his latest collection All the Names Given.
Dismantling the Patriarchy: Mona Eltahawy in conversation is on 24 October. In this event, author and activist Mona Eltahawy discusses her latest book The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls, a bold, feminist manifesto on how to disrupt the patriarchy.
Most tickets are available for free but contributions are encouraged. There are so many events to choose from. Find out more about the range of events and book tickets here.
The Lagos International Poetry Festival
21–24 October
If you enjoy poetry and poetry slams then this is the one for you! This is a hybrid festival with plenty of online events available. The theme is “Ancestral Imaginings,” and explores how we can work together through the pandemic. Find out more here.
Ake Arts & Book Festival
28–30 October
Each year, this incredible festival brings together the best talent across art, music, poetry, dance, literature to champion creativity across Africa. Taking place in Lagos, Nigeria and being streamed globally online, the festival features workshops, panel discussions, poetry readings, plays, concerts and performances. The festival also features a wonderful bookshop which mainly consists of African writers and books about Africa. Don’t miss your opportunity to really immerse yourself in this celebration of culture and creativity, get free access here.
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