Eritrean poet Ribka Sibhatu and her translator André Naffis-Sahely bring the fanatical world of African storytelling to the Norfolk Libraries! On the horn of Africa Eritrean literature has been treasured and passed down by countless generations in the form of aulòs, bardic songs performed at celebrations. To start with the poet begin their tales with the word Sïnsïwai, meaning, “I have a story to tell,” to which the audience replies, Uaddëkoi selimai. “We’re ready, we’re listening.”
Ribka has spent decades collecting and recoding Eritrea’s folkloric canon, a body of oral literature which has been handed down through the ages, and André has worked closely with her for over ten years to render these timeless tales into English.
So join this poet and translator duo for an hour of stories unlike any you have heard before, perfect for 8 to 11-year-olds and everyone older than that too!
Ribka Sibhatu‘s tour has been co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
