African Book Festival 2021: January 28 – 29, 2021
African Book Festival is a literary festival organised by InterKontinental in the German city of Berlin; its first iteration, curated by Olumide Popoola, was headlined by Chris Abani. In 2019, the festival, curated by Tsitsi Dangarembga, had Ben Okri as the headliner and many leading writers attending.
The 2020 edition of the festival was planned around Lusophone literature in Africa with Kalaf Epalanga as the curator and José Eduardo Agualusa as the headliner. It was not to be as the global Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to many cultural activities including the African Book Fair.
The festival, retaining Kalaf Epalanga as curator, is set to return with a mix of physical events in Munich and Leipzig as well as virtual ones. For its duration, attendees will get to interact with among others Chimeka Garricks, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Natasha Omokhodion-Kalulu Banda, Rémy Ngamije, Zukiswa Wanner, Martha Fessehatzion, Moses Leo, Ondjaki, Yara Monteiro, José Eduardo Agualusa, Telma Tvon, and Toty Sa’Med
The two events will be hosted by Kalaf Epalanga and streamed live. Information on links for streaming will be availed closer to the day. To keep up, follow InterKontinental’s social media channels on Facebook or Instagram
