The James Joyce Centre is set to host the Irish launch of Trailing a Sea-Weed Cord: Contemporary Irish and Nigerian Poets on Wole Soyinka’s ‘Ulysses: Notes From Here to My Joyce Class’ on Saturday, February 1 at 6pm.
Viewed as a remarkable celebration of cultural synergy, the anthology, a collaboration between Nigerian and Irish poets, pays homage to Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, whose 1966 poem “Ulysses: From Here to my Joyce Class” inspired the collection.
Published by Bookcraft Africa, the book marks the second in a trilogy spearheaded by the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria to deepen cultural connections between the two nations.
Featuring a foreword by Irish President Michael D. Higgins, the anthology includes contributions from five Nigerian poets and five Irish poets selected by Poetry Ireland. The project follows the success of Things Fall Apart, The Centre Cannot Hold, a poetry collection commemorating the centenary of W.B. Yeats’ Nobel Prize, inspired by Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
The event will include readings and discussions by key contributors, including editor Aduke Gomez, James Joyce Centre Director Darina Gallagher and Poetry Ireland’s Liz Kelly. Attendees will gain insights into the enduring literary bonds between Ireland and Nigeria.
Doors open at 5:30 pm and while entry is free, advance booking is required.
This launch is supported by Ireland’s Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, reflecting the importance of fostering global cultural dialogue through the arts.
