The literary landscape of Nigeria is set to welcome a transformative addition this November with the debut of the Abuja International Poetry Festival (AIPFest). Scheduled to run from 14 to 16 November, the inaugural festival, themed “Afro Futurism and Digital Culture”, will explore what it means to be an African poet in an era of digital innovation and cultural transformation.
AIPFest promises to be more than just another poetry event; it is designed as a cultural nexus, where poets, dreamers, intellectuals, and adventurers converge to interrogate the intersections of African identity and technological evolution. By weaving together the threads of artistic expression and socio-cultural inquiry, the festival aims to position itself as a vital space for reflection and reinvention
The festival is powered by Nasara Creative in collaboration with a range of partners, including The African School of Economics, Abuja Literary Society, Spine & Label Bookshop, Jeje Riders, and the All Africa Intellectual Property Rights Summit – Rwanda 2024. This alliance reflects AIPFest’s interdisciplinary approach, addressing themes like intellectual property, climate change, and the digital economy alongside poetry.
AIPFest offers a hybrid format, featuring both virtual and in-person events that promise to cater to a global audience. The program is a vibrant mix of:
- Knowledge diffusion sessions
- Poetry masterclasses
- Panels and readings with feedback
- Themed poetry concerts
- A lively poetry party, humorously billed to include “poems apostles should not hear”
In a unique blend of activism and creativity, the festival will feature a ride-for-climate-change activity in partnership with Jeje Riders, highlighting its commitment to global environmental concerns.
The festival’s opening and closing ceremonies will be held at The Exhibition Pavilion of the International Conference Centre, Garki, Abuja, a fitting venue for the grandeur of the occasion. Among the highlights is the Efe Paul Azino Poetry Slam, honouring one of Africa’s leading performance poets. This slam, true to AIPFest’s ethos, seeks to provide cultural market access for emerging poets, spotlighting their relevance in a rapidly evolving artistic and digital world.
AIPFest arrives at a pivotal moment, adding its voice to Nigeria’s illustrious literary calendar alongside the Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFest), Ake Arts and Book Festival, Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF), and Quramo Festival of Words (QFEST). By embracing the dynamism of poetry and the challenges of the digital era, AIPFest is poised to become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s cultural narrative and a beacon for African poetry.
As the festival organizers aptly express, “We believe there is magic to be created where these elements meet.” Indeed, AIPFest promises a journey into that magic, uniting tradition and innovation in the heart of Africa’s capital.
