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Happy 2009

Every new year is like the first page of a book. For us at Farafina magazine, it is a year full of endless possibilities and we would like to share this and more with you as we tell our stories with every issue.

Thank you for an eventful 2008.

What else can we say? Have a happy 2009.

Farafina magazine is . . .

Farafina Magazine's Visual Arts and Literature Event - The Lowdown

First of all, we have to say that here at Farafina, we are extremely humbled by the attendance and enthusiasm of those who came on Saturday. Thank you very much for showing up, with your sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, with cameras and camcorders, with your willingness to listen and your patience at our technical mishaps, and for braving the traffic,and filling Bambuddha with an atmosphere of celebration, relaxation and good humour, we say thank you so much.

We recognized some of you from the equally vibrant 'Architecture of Demas Nwoko' launch on Thursday. We should do this more often!

Chiedu Ifeozo is going to go a long way, and his name will be remembered by all those who heard his beautiful poetry recitations. He also read out Tam Fiofori's lovely poem "Dahomey meets Benin" which introduced "Ghestapo's" solo photography exhibition.

Adolphus "Ghestapo" Opara's stunning black and white photos were then unveiled. The exhibition will be up for another week, during which time you can still view the images in Bambuddha and contact us if you are interested in buying one. Trust us, they are very beautiful - very collectible.

What followed was a succession of talks, discussions, audience interrogations(!), musical performances, and a lot of meeting of minds. Our thanks and good wishes to Timi Dakolo, whose silken tones and note-perfect delivery silenced the near-constant murmuring from the crowd, and to Jumoke Verissimo and Kafayat Quadri. Timi Dakolo is a true gentleman - he was thoroughly polite and professional, and we will be featuring him in depth very soon in Farafina Magazine. The man knows where he's going. Look out for his album too as soon as that drops.

The 2008 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature winner Nnedi Okorafor came with her beautiful daughter Anyaugo. The author of "Zahrah the Windseeker" was very engaging, intriguing too, almost shy but still every inch the writer, fascinated to be meeting and interacting with other writers in the house, and still full of curiosity about the art of writing, and particularly the science-fiction genre.

Eghosa Imasuen - is there nothing this man is capable of? The writer, whose first novel 'To Saint Patrick' debuted on the Farafina imprint earleir this year, set the tone for the event like a good comedian, putting the crowd at ease while deepening our understanding of his particular brand of "alternate history" fiction.

These were two very intriguing authors to see and hear in the flesh; the third was the elusive, elliptical and eminently absent Ben Okri. Luckily, Molara Wood, the lovely and very talented arts writer and journalist was able to record an exclusive and fascinating documentary interview with him. It was great to hear her talk before the screening. Welcome back to Nigeria, Molara Wood.

Those that stayed were able to buy the newest issue of Farafina magazine, Issue 15, subtitled Remapping Africanness, as well as a number of other Farafina books. Nnedi Okorafor, Eghosa Imasuen, and writers-in-the-audience such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Biyi Bandele and Toni Kan were all very friendly and approachable, signing books and chatting away with guests who persevered until the end.

We have to reserve a special mention for the management and staff at Bambuddha Restaurant. They were very hospitable and well-organized, and their 2-year old restaurant is still one of the most alluring spaces in Lagos. We like that natural light coming in from the skylight, and the eastern decor. If you haven't visited yet, you should do.

We'll be posting more photos in the coming days, and letting you know what we have planned for an encore very soon.

Telling Our Own Stories... from 2pm today

West Africa Idol's Winner Timi Dakolo was on STV's breakfast show with Adaure yesterday to talk about Farafina Magazine's Arts and Literature Event.

Thursday evening's launch of the new book from Farafina, 'The Architecture of Demas Nwoko' proved a great success. There was a great turnout, particularly from the architecture and design community.  Present were lots of press and journos, as well as stand-up comic Julius Agwu, Ugoma Ebilah of the couture house Zebra Living, Ambassador Segun Olusola, the renowned Nigerian artist Bruce Onabrakpeya, and also the 'big' man himself, Demas Nwoko. 

After a very enjoyable evening, many expressed an interest in Saturday's event and it is more than likely that most of them will be there.
Again, Farafina stylee, we have a big surprise for you today! But you have to be at Bambuddha at 2pm to discover what it is... 

By the way, we've been allowed a sneak preview of the crack photographer Adolphus "Ghestapo" Opara's pieces which will feature in the visual arts exhibition, and they should be very well received, we're sure. Bring your chequebook, and take home a future classic!

I can't help it, I have to divulge it, but you must not tell anyone o! So, here goes... our very own BIYI BANDELE and CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE will be in the crowd at Bambuddha...

So where else would you rather be?

A final point before we meet at Bambudhha... Remember this event is a FARAFINA MAGAZINE event, and so we hope that by the close of the event you will all have your copies of FARAFINA MAGAZINE clutched under your arm or tucked into your handbag. We also expect that you will buy copies (as gift items and also for yourself) of Nnedi Okorafor, Eghosa Imasuen, Jumoke Verissimo, Biyi Bandele and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books to be autographed.

The leadup to the first Farafina Magazine Visual Arts and Literature Event has been exciting for all of us here at Farafina and the event won't be complete without YOU.

Here's wishing you happy holidays and lots of (reflective) enjoyment reading FARAFINA MAGAZINE.

A Publishing Milestone...

This evening at Terra Kulture (Victoria Island, Lagos), Farafina Books unveils one if its' most testing and accomplished projects, its first architectural monograph, and a celebration of one of Nigeria's most revered artists. 

Born in 1935, Demas Nwoko came through the College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria to become an inspirational and resourceful architect and designer.  "The Architecture of Demas Nwoko" is a testament to the dedication of the authors, John and Gillian Hopwood, as well as their publishers Farafina Books, to celebrating the life, skill, vision and art of this son of Idumuje Ugboko. 

Please be our guest at the event...

Three Days and Counting...