Tam Fiofori too...

Ace photographer and filmmaker, Tam Fiofori will give a poetry recital at the event to open Adolphus Opara's exhibition.

Bambuddha Beckons...

We would like to acknowledge Bambuddha's support for the Farafina event. The restaurant, whose style and cuisine draws on Asian, Mediterranean and South American influences, is strategically situated on Karimu Kotun in Victoria Island. The restaurant enjoys safety, convenience and prestige. The decor of the restaurant is visual art in itself, and as the description on the Bambuddha website states, "the fresh design and rich ambiance envelops guests upon entering Bambuddha".

Farafina magazine welcomes you to Bambuddha...
http://www.bambuddha-lagos.com

I am Memory (and Other Stories)

Our event gets more interesting: Jumoke Verissimo will be at the event and will read from her recently published book of poems, I AM MEMORY. And anybody who has ever seen Jumoke on stage knows that hers is a performance not to be missed!

The energy drink company RED BULL have announced their intention to energise attendees of the event, and Inspiro, organisers of the First International Lagos Jazz Festival and the Naijazz concert, have also announced their support of the Farafina magazine Visual Arts & Literature event.

All that remains to make this event one to remember is YOU!

Adolphus Opara is a visual artist / photojournalist who has been involved in a number of photography projects in Nigeria and around the world, with his favoured themes ranging from religion to portraiture. His work has appeared in publications such as Private, Timeout Nigeria, Lagos: City at Work and also on the BBC website. He was a third place winner in the first Photo Africa contest organised by the Andalusian Centre of Photography and Al Tarab in April 2008. He has a permanent exhibition at Bogobiri House in Lagos. Affectionately known by the wonderfully non-photographic handle, "Gestapo", Adolphus is also a nominee for the Future Awards Artist of the Year.

Some fine examples of his work...

Child's play at Sunset

Makoko

Timi Dakolo, Winner of the Inaugural Idols West Africa, will Perform Live at the Event

The event is getting bigger and bigger...Timi Dakolo is going to be in the house!

Timi Dakolo is the winner of the TV reality show Idols West Africa. Since winning Idols, Timi has performed at several high profile events like the 2008 African Movies Academy Awards, the grand finale of the 2008 season of The Apprentice Africa and the Starville Concert alongside Lil' Kim, Amerie and Brick & Lace in 2007. Timi is currently working on his debut album expected to be released early in 2009.

Farafina Event Flyer

Farafina Magazine Visual Arts & Literature Event

Farafina magazine invites you to join us for our premiere Visual Arts & Literature event holding at Bambuddha Restaurant on the 13th of December, 2008 at 2p.m. There will be a photography exhibition (by Adolphus Opara), a film screening (selected clips from Molara Wood's interview with acclaimed writer, Ben Okri), spoken word performances, and readings by Nnedi Okorafor and Eghosa Imasuen.

Nnedi Okorafor is the author of the novels Zahrah the Windseeker and The Shadow Speaker. An illustrated version of Zahrah the Windseeker was published in July 2008 by Farafina. It won the 2008 Wole Soyinka prize for Literature. Visit Nnedi's blog: http://nnedi.blogspot.com/






Below is Nnedi's interview which was featured in issue 15 of Farafina magazine:

What time of the day do you write most?

The early morning.

What books are currently on your bedside table?

I Refuse to Die: My Journey for Freedom by Koigi wa Wamwere and a comic book series called Castle Waiting by Linda Medley.

What would you change about yourself?

Absolutely nothing. Not even my imperfections. I am what I am. Well, I wouldn’t mind my feet being the same size. One is a full size bigger than the other. Makes it hard to find shoes that fit. Ha ha.

What will you call your kind of writing—science fiction, magical realism or fantasy?

I call it mine. Categories annoy me. Too often, they are incorrect, incomplete and limiting. Editors and publishers call my work African fantasy and science fiction. Magical realism is just a subcategory of fantasy.

How does your writing influence your life?

It gives it purpose and focus. It’s often therapeutic. For example, when my father passed, I channeled all my pain into a novel. I literally started writing it right after he passed. That novel is the best and most painful thing I’ve written to date. I don’t know how I’d have gotten through that time without that novel to write.

What inspires your writing?

Everything. All people, incidents, beasts, creatures and things I encounter have a chance of making it into my stories. Honestly, this earth we live on is a grand inspiration.

How would you introduce your child to literature?

I read to her every night and whenever she wants me to read to her. I take her to the library and bookstore. I put books in her room. I talk about books. I teach her to read. And I buy her books. I make books seem more important and more magical than television and music.

Who would you most like to sit next to at a dinner party?

The director of Pan’s Labyrinth and the Hellboy series, Guillermo del Toro. I swear he and I share part of the same mind, plus I hear he’s far from boring.

What is the worth of a book?

Books contain centuries and generations, yet can be carried around; they keep you up at night; they incite change, hilarity, tears, rage, joy; they bring things to life right behind your eyes; they show you death; they give you deep experience without having to leave your home; they affect children and adults; they can show you different planets and worlds; and they live on long after you are gone. Books are priceless.

Eghosa Imasuen is a medical doctor and a writer. His first novel, To Saint Patrick, was published by Farafina in August 2008.





Below are excerpts from Eghosa's interview with Farafina magazine:

Have you ever bought a copy of your own book?

Yes o. I bought twenty copies to distribute to family and friends.

Who would you most like to sit next to at a dinner party?

Ben Elton. After watching his stuff on shows like Thin Blue Line and The Black Adder, and having read his wickedly witty novels, I'd love to speak to him, pick his brain, so to speak.

What time of the day do you write most?

Late at night, between 11 pm and 3 am.

What book did you enjoy reading most?

Ben Elton's Stark. You have to pick your way through its lines to find an unfunny sentence.

What are you scared of?

Not being understood. Losing family.

What book do you wish you had written?

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie. Page after page of the most decievingly simple prose you can think of; not one wasted sentence. And its subject matter?

What would you change about yourself?

The colour of my hair. It takes on a golden sheen when it's overgrown. If I was an oyinbo I would have been a ginger.

How would you introduce your child to literature?

Already started it. The first of my twins loves books. They are just eight months old now but you should see the way Ethan chews through my books; literally chews o. With his two bottom teeth.

Have you ever imitated another writer's style?

That’s so difficult to answer. Have I read stuff I'd written and found that it sounded like
what I'd just read? Maybe. But consciously imitate? No.

Where does the writer and doctor in you meet?

When I take history from patients. They seem impressed that I can give voice to most of what they are feeling; that I seem to find the words that hang in the pauses between the, "Doctor, it's em . . ." and "No it was em . . ." phrases.

Who is your perfect reader?

One that comes to the story with an open mind, with an aim to enjoy what he reads; one that comes to be entertained.

What is the worth of a book?

The story it contains; the joy, the tears; the laughter . . . and the money you doled out for it.

What is the hardest thing to write about?

Sex.