Sola Osofisan
07-23-2007, 02:20 PM
ANNOUNCING THE INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM ON “50 YEARS OF THINGS FALL APART: TELLING THE AFRICAN STORY IN A GLOBAL WORLD”
INTRODUCTION:
In 2008, it would be the golden anniversary of the publication of the land marking novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The novel heralded the coming of age of modern African fiction and signposted the rendering of an authentic African story to the world audience. Since then, the work has become a masterpiece, translated into several languages of the world and has inspired many African writers to tell their own stories to their kith and kin and the world. Chinua Achebe, with Things Fall Apart and other works of his, has remained a cornerstone and a reference point in African literary fiction. It is therefore very pertinent to celebrate the golden anniversary of the publication of that seminal novel with an international colloquium, which would celebrate Achebe as a writer, the book Things Fall Apart, and use the opportunity to take a reflective look on how well the African story has been told since Things Fall Apart and the future trend of story telling or novel writing by Africans in the continent and beyond.
SCOPE
The colloquium is proposed to be a two-day affair of a number of activities featuring plenary sessions on the theme of the celebration by foreign and local scholars, book exhibitions, visit to historical places like where Achebe stayed when he wrote Things Fall Apart, special auction of early copies of the book, screening of NTA adaptation of Things Fall Apart and dramatic enactments of Achebe’s novels on stage etc.
The colloquium proper will involve the invitation of the foreign writers and scholars such as Nuruddeen Farah of Somalia, Ngugi Wa Thingo of Kenya, Ayi Kwei Armah of Ghana, Lewis Nkosi of South Africa, Prof Charles Larson in the USA, etc, who will all be asked to present papers and talks at the colloquium Scholars on Achebe in Nigerian Universities would also be invited to present papers.
LITERARY COMPETITION
Like ANA did during the International colloquium on 20 yrs After the Nobel Prize held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in August 2006, a literary competition among Nigerian writers for the best stage adaptation of any of Achebe’s works, other than Things Fall Apart, would be held. The winning entry will be performed on stage during the colloquium with prizes awarded to the first, second and third positions.
VENUE AND DATE
The Association, through its previous experiences has noted that such event as the colloquium being proposed is best held in an academic environment for several reasons. The ambience of an academic environment with the necessary captive audience is good for such venture, coupled with the support services that could be provided by the host University
Authority, who would be taken as partner to the success of the event.
In view of the above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where Achebe once lectured, lived, and where ANA was established in 1981 by the same Achebe is proposed as the venue of the International Colloquium and the attendant celebration.
The proposed date for the colloquium is in 2008 to allow for adequate preparation.The specific date would be announced shortly.
KICKSTARTING THE ACHEBE COLLOQUIUM
To set the ball of the Achebe Colloquium rolling, ANA has already signed a memorandum of understanding with a marketing consultancy company, Maclemm Marketing Communications limited to handle the publicity and marketing aspects of the colloquium with a view to delivering a landmrking event in March next year.
To kickstart the literary competition aspect of the Colloquium, ANA hereby invites interested playwrights (not above the age of 40) to adapt any of Achebe's works, other than Things Fall Apart into a stageable play,the best of which will be staged during the colloquium. Four (4) copies of such adaptations, with a covering letter, should be sent to The General Secretary Association of Nigerian Authors, Suite 67 National Theatre complex, Iganmu Lagos not later than 30th October, 2007. Further announcements on the Achebe COLLOQUIUM WOULD BE MADE IN DUE COURSE.
Signed:DENJA ABDULLAHI
GENERAL SECRETARY,ANA.
INTRODUCTION:
In 2008, it would be the golden anniversary of the publication of the land marking novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The novel heralded the coming of age of modern African fiction and signposted the rendering of an authentic African story to the world audience. Since then, the work has become a masterpiece, translated into several languages of the world and has inspired many African writers to tell their own stories to their kith and kin and the world. Chinua Achebe, with Things Fall Apart and other works of his, has remained a cornerstone and a reference point in African literary fiction. It is therefore very pertinent to celebrate the golden anniversary of the publication of that seminal novel with an international colloquium, which would celebrate Achebe as a writer, the book Things Fall Apart, and use the opportunity to take a reflective look on how well the African story has been told since Things Fall Apart and the future trend of story telling or novel writing by Africans in the continent and beyond.
SCOPE
The colloquium is proposed to be a two-day affair of a number of activities featuring plenary sessions on the theme of the celebration by foreign and local scholars, book exhibitions, visit to historical places like where Achebe stayed when he wrote Things Fall Apart, special auction of early copies of the book, screening of NTA adaptation of Things Fall Apart and dramatic enactments of Achebe’s novels on stage etc.
The colloquium proper will involve the invitation of the foreign writers and scholars such as Nuruddeen Farah of Somalia, Ngugi Wa Thingo of Kenya, Ayi Kwei Armah of Ghana, Lewis Nkosi of South Africa, Prof Charles Larson in the USA, etc, who will all be asked to present papers and talks at the colloquium Scholars on Achebe in Nigerian Universities would also be invited to present papers.
LITERARY COMPETITION
Like ANA did during the International colloquium on 20 yrs After the Nobel Prize held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in August 2006, a literary competition among Nigerian writers for the best stage adaptation of any of Achebe’s works, other than Things Fall Apart, would be held. The winning entry will be performed on stage during the colloquium with prizes awarded to the first, second and third positions.
VENUE AND DATE
The Association, through its previous experiences has noted that such event as the colloquium being proposed is best held in an academic environment for several reasons. The ambience of an academic environment with the necessary captive audience is good for such venture, coupled with the support services that could be provided by the host University
Authority, who would be taken as partner to the success of the event.
In view of the above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where Achebe once lectured, lived, and where ANA was established in 1981 by the same Achebe is proposed as the venue of the International Colloquium and the attendant celebration.
The proposed date for the colloquium is in 2008 to allow for adequate preparation.The specific date would be announced shortly.
KICKSTARTING THE ACHEBE COLLOQUIUM
To set the ball of the Achebe Colloquium rolling, ANA has already signed a memorandum of understanding with a marketing consultancy company, Maclemm Marketing Communications limited to handle the publicity and marketing aspects of the colloquium with a view to delivering a landmrking event in March next year.
To kickstart the literary competition aspect of the Colloquium, ANA hereby invites interested playwrights (not above the age of 40) to adapt any of Achebe's works, other than Things Fall Apart into a stageable play,the best of which will be staged during the colloquium. Four (4) copies of such adaptations, with a covering letter, should be sent to The General Secretary Association of Nigerian Authors, Suite 67 National Theatre complex, Iganmu Lagos not later than 30th October, 2007. Further announcements on the Achebe COLLOQUIUM WOULD BE MADE IN DUE COURSE.
Signed:DENJA ABDULLAHI
GENERAL SECRETARY,ANA.