Unfortunately, the Somali poet Weedhsame will not be able to attend this event. His work will be read by his friend and translator Martin Orwin.
The event will mark 55 years since the first Makerere African Writers Conference, where leading figures such as Wole Soyinka, JP Clarke and Ngugi wa Th’iongo were present, and for the first time since the end of colonialism African writings were properly recognised and celebrated. SOAS academics specialising in literary criticism, translation and African literature more broadly will host this celebratory conference at the SOAS Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, with the support of the SOAS Centre of African Studies.
We are delighted that Weedhsame, a leading Somali poet of the new generation, will be reading his recent works at this landmark event, alongside his friend and bridge translator Dr Martin Orwin.
The confirmed speakers on the day include:
– Wole Soyinka
– J.P. Clarke
– Sefi Atta
– Cameron Duodu
– Ivor Agyeman-Duah
– Xasan Daahir Weedhsame
– Mpalive Msiska
– Richard Oduor
– Chege Githiora
– Alena Rettová
– Kwadwo Osei-Nyame Jnr
– Martin Orwin
– Louisa Egbunike
This event is part of our Catastrophe Tour, which brings contemporary Somali poet Weedhsame to venues across the UK. We are particularly keen to meet all those that supported and contributed to the crowdfunding of our special edition poster of ‘Catastrophe’.
You can order a copy of the Catastrophe poem poster, illustrated by artist Bryan Talbot, here.
