Lifestyle
Ake Festival 2017; A Photo Essay
The Ake Arts and Book Festival is one of Africa’s biggest literary festivals. It takes place in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The 2017 edition was themed “This F- Word” and was headlined by Ama Ata Aidoo and focused on women in various fields of the creative industry, from film to literature.
Published
7 years agoon
By
TJ Benson
From 14th to 18th November, artists from all over the world congregated in Abeokuta, Oyo state for the fifth Ake Arts and Book Festival, organised by Lola Shoneyin. The theme ‘This F- Word’ was headlined by Ama Ata Aidoo and focused on women in various fields of the creative industry from film to literature.

Opening night with Celeste Photo: TJ Benson

Visitors perusing Ake Festival bookstore for spoils Photo: TJ Benson

Visitors awaiting the start of the opening ceremony Photo: TJ Benson

Geoff Ryman in conversation with Nnedi Okorafor and another guest Photo: TJ Benson

Arrival of Ama Ata Aidoo Photo: TJ Benson

Deputy Governor of Ogun State Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga with Festival Director Lola Shoneyin Photo@ TJ Benson

Olutimehin Adegbeye, Enajite Efumuaye and Adebola Rayo Photo: TJ Benson

Portion of Ake Festival Guests with Dzekashu Macviban and Sada Malumfashi Photo: TJ Benson

Mona Eltahawy

Halima Aliyu

Saraba team at magazine launch; Dami Ajayi and Emmanuel Iduma Photo: TJ Benson

Howard Meh-Buh Maximus reading from work at the Cross Country Conversations Panel Photo: TJ Benson

Sara Blecher, Tope Oshin, Arit Okpo and Jade Osiberu talking film making Photo: TJ Benson

Ankara shop

Yvonne Owuor and Ayobami Adebayo in a book chat moderated by Dami Ajayi Photo: TJ Benson

Some visitors escaped to a palmwine garden Photo: TJ Benson

Some members of the Afro-Sci-fi community after a brief brainstorming session Photo: TJ Benson

Lola Shoneyin and Hadiza Elrufai during the Ouida book launch Photo: TJ Benson

Molara Wood interviewing Ama Ata Aidoo in the last event for the festival Photo: TJ Benson
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