This year, the Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF) takes center stage to honor the indomitable spirit and profound contributions of Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, literary icon, and global humanist. In its 26th edition, LABAF has aptly declared 2024 as The Soyinka Year, dedicating its events to celebrating the remarkable life, art, and activism of one of Africa’s most revered voices.
Themed ‘BREAKOUT: Hope is a Stubborn Thing,’ this year’s festival, often hailed as “Africa’s biggest cultural picnic,” will offer an immersive lineup of over 60 events at Freedom Park, Lagos, and virtually. Among the highlights is the much-anticipated screening of The Man Died, a documentary inspired by Soyinka’s seminal prison memoir, slated for November 13 at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Produced by Zuri 24 Media, The Man Died recounts Soyinka’s harrowing 27 months of incarceration during Nigeria’s civil war. Amidst brutal confinement, Soyinka sought solace in his mind, penning reflections that have since become enduring testaments to his resilience. Directed by Awam Amkpa, a Nigerian-American scholar and artist renowned for his incisive explorations of postcolonial and Black Atlantic narratives, the film has already garnered acclaim across international festivals, including Berlinale, FESPACO, and the African Film Festival in New York.
Beyond its critical reception, The Man Died has graced prestigious platforms such as the Africa Centre in London during Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebrations and QFest in Lagos. It will also feature as the opening film at the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) in Enugu later this month, further cementing its cultural significance.
Complementing the documentary screening, LABAF presents a special edition of its annual exhibition, Timeless Memories, under the evocative title: Wole Soyinka@90: The Man Who Didn’t Die in the Face of Tyranny. Curated by Oludamola Adebowale, the exhibition showcases multimedia installations of Soyinka recounting his prison ordeal, paired with archival visuals that delve into his 22 months of solitary confinement. This reflective showcase runs from November 12 to 17, offering attendees an intimate glimpse into the mind and spirit of the literary titan.
LABAF’s tribute to Soyinka forms part of a year-long celebration of his towering legacy, which has encompassed book readings, panel discussions, and exhibitions. The festival’s focus on Soyinka’s unwavering commitment to truth and justice resonates deeply in today’s socio-political climate, reinforcing the enduring relevance of his work.
As the festival continues to draw literary and artistic luminaries from across Nigeria and beyond, it not only commemorates Soyinka’s monumental achievements but also rekindles the hope and stubborn optimism that define the very essence of his oeuvre.
