Convener of the Quramo (literary) Festival, Gbemi Shasore has said the mass exodus of key players in the Nigeria’s Culture and Creative Industry to other countries is an opportunity for cross-continental collaborations and exportation of cultural values and literature.
Shasore spoke during her announcement of the fourth edition of the Quramo Festival of Words recently in Abuja.
Themed Connecting The Dots, discusses at the festival will highlight opportunities for creatives and stakeholders in film, literature, theatre, publishing among others to interact, identify and explore likely collaborations across borders.
As a platform invested in the building bridges where there are hitherto non-existent, Shasore said it remains committed to equipping creatives towards the expansion of the creative industry.
“We are dedicated to fostering visibility for literary works that mirror real Nigerian and African experiences. QFEST is an annual celebration of these unique stories, conversations and cultural perspectives,” she said.
Speakers and panelists scheduled to feature in the festival include Yahaya Maikori, co-founder Rovingheights Bookstore, Adedotun Eyinade; co-founder Society of Book and Magazine Editors in Nigeria (SBMEN), Anwuli Ojogwu; author and lecturer, University of Lagos, Professor Karen King-Aribisala; Kenyan, media persona, James Murua; the Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, H.E. Peter Ryan, among others.
Besides a plethora of activities ranging from masterclasses, panel discussions, book chats, stage plays, short film screening, live music performances etc., QFEST will also host The Word Slam Open Mic which comes with a cash prize, and caps off with the unveiling of the winner of the Quramo Writers Prize.
