Quramo Writers’ Prize (QWP) 2023 jury members, Dr. Eghosa Imasuen (left); Founder, QWP, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore; Mr. Anote Ajeluorou and Mrs. Lechi Eke (sitting) at the handover of 20 longlisted manuscripts to the judges in LagosThe highly anticipated Quramo Festival of Words (QFEST) is set to return for its seventh edition from October 4th to 8th, 2023, promising a five-day extravaganza of literary and creative exploration. Hosted by Quramo Publishing Ltd., this annual gathering is a cornerstone event for creatives from diverse fields, uniting them under one thematic umbrella: “Connecting The Dots.”
Organised by Mrs. Gbemi Shasore, co-founder of Quramo Publishing, QFEST seeks to foster collaboration across borders within the realms of film, literature, theatre and publishing. The festival aims to capitalise on the recent migration of key players in Nigeria’s creative industries to encourage cross-continental cooperation and the export of cultural values and literature.
Gbemi Shasore, the convener of QFEST, expressed the festival’s commitment to building bridges in the creative industry.
She stated, “At Quramo, we remain committed to our vision to equip creatives for the expansion of the creative industries while 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.”
QFEST attendees can expect a rich lineup of events, including book chats, masterclasses, expert-led panel sessions, spoken word poetry, and stage plays. The Word Slam Open Mic competition, featuring a substantial cash prize, is sure to captivate participants. The highlight of QFEST 2023 will be the announcement of the Quramo Writers Prize (QWP) winner, who will receive a lucrative publishing deal and a substantial cash award. The QWP longlist has already been unveiled at the Quramo office in Lagos, Nigeria.
The festival boasts an impressive roster of speakers and panellists, including luminaries such as Yahaya Maikori, Adedotun Eyinade (co-founder of Rovingheights), Anwuli Ojogwu (co-founder of the Society of Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria), Prof. Karen King-Aribisala (a noted author and lecturer at the University of Lagos), and James Murua (a prominent media figure from Kenya). Additionally, the festival will feature a special appearance by Peter Ryan, the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria.
For the latest updates on QFEST 2023, interested individuals can follow @quramo_pub on X (Twitter,) @quramoofficial on Instagram, Quramo Publishing on Facebook and LinkedIn, or visit quramo.com/festival to sign up for the QFEST newsletter.
Quramo Publishing, a subsidiary of Quramo Media and sister company to Quramo Productions, has consistently championed the creation of best-selling books and thought-provoking films.
The Quramo Festival of Words, now in its seventh year, attracts thousands of attendees who participate in workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, book chats, readings, literary competitions, and enjoy stage plays, short films, and live music performances. The festival has hosted esteemed guests such as Kadaria Ahmed, Sefi Atta, Falz, Igoni Barrett, Kiki Mordi, and many more. Each edition carries a unique theme, emphasizing the celebration and documentation of Africa’s positive contributions to the global creative economy.
