The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to Soyinka.
Professor Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate, received a Lifetime Achievement Award. The renowned author received the honor on January 24, 2025, at the inaugural Sharjah Festival of African Literature.
In recognition of Soyinka’s outstanding achievements to African literature and his influence as a worldwide literary icon, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi presented the prize.
The Book Buzz Foundation, which was established and is led by Lola Shoneyin, a well-known author who is known for organizing the Ake Arts and Book Festival and the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival, is co-curating this historic event, which started on January 24 and ends on January 27.
Since the Book Buzz Foundation first began collaborating with the Sharjah Book Authority, we have seen this festival as much more than a celebration of words; it is a critical step in fostering understanding between these two historically rich regions that are now bound together by the boundless potential of creativity and storytelling.
In her introductory remarks, Shoneyin stated, “As a city that hosts numerous book festivals, conferences, and fairs, Sharjah has been transformed into a beacon of literary excellence, a place where people involved in the book business converge to deliberate, to learn, and to take the right steps towards a more equitable literary landscape.”
Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate Prof. Abdulrazak Gurnah, Alain Mabanckou, Jennifer Makumbi, Petina Gappah, Nnedi Okorafor, Peter Kimani, Yvonne Owuor, Chika Unigwe, Tendai Huchu, and Wole Talabi are among the distinguished group of African literary voices that have been brought together by the festival.
Other notable guests include Ifeoma Esiri, Mara Menzies, Ade Bantu, Amyn Bawa-Allah, Kenanao Phele, Wendy Njoroge, Abdulkareem Baba-Aminu, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, and the poets Wana Udobang, Maryam Bukar Hassan, Deborah Johnson, Dami Ajayi (author and poet), and Ann Masina (South African singer).
The UAE’s commitment to promoting international literary exchange and showcasing African stories and culture is reflected in the festival.
The occasion has evolved into an immersive outdoor extravaganza. With more than 15 food trucks serving everything from African to international cuisine, live music blends in perfectly. The festival grounds are transformed into a lively carnival of flavors, sounds, and entertainment for all guests thanks to the family-friendly seating places strewn throughout them.
Activities for visitors include workshops where kids may learn how to make traditional pottery and performances of traditional African dances rich in cultural history. They can take in participatory dance, folklore-infused art exhibits, and cookery classes that reveal Africa’s gastronomic mysteries.
One of the festival’s highlights will be Ann Masina’s performance on Sunday, January 26 from 9 to 10 p.m. The well-known performer, who is famous for fusing opera with South African rhythms, will enthrall Sharjah audiences with a blend of classical and modern sounds, engrossing them in a musical story that unites tradition and innovation. The festival lineup is also full of exciting performances, such as a distinctive fusion of Sudanese melodies, Arabic tunes, and catchy African beats, all of which are sure to make an impression. These lively events are part of a larger program that also includes panel discussions and literary sessions with 29 Emirati and African authors, including Nobel laureates, who will participate in eight book discussions and three seminars.
Writers, thinkers, artists, and the general public will all have a meaningful conversation as the workshops explore the significant contributions of African literature and art to world culture.
The workshops will promote networking among authors, thinkers, artists, and audiences while showcasing the priceless contributions of African literature and art to the world’s cultural environment.
Twelve imaginative kid-friendly workshops, such as African storytelling stones, African pottery, and African jewelry making, are part of the festival’s schedule.
Young participants are introduced to the rich traditional and artisanal arts of the continent through the programs. African folk tale reading sessions will also vividly and inspiringly bring the continent’s popular and folkloric heritage to life.
