By Nehru Odeh
Multiple-award-winning writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is set to reboot the Farafina Creative Writing workshop. The 10-day event, which kicks off on 20 November 2018, will be known as Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop and sponsored by Trace Nigeria.
She made this known at a press conference held on Monday, 24
September, 2018 in Ikoyi, Lagos. The author of award-winning novels such as
Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, also said she is passionate
about the workshop and proud of the successes it has recorded since its
inception 11 years ago.
“I have been so happy and proud to see many of the alumni of
this workshop who want to do so many wonderful things,” she enthused.
Adichie said the workshop will continue to provide her the
opportunity to contribute to the growth of the writing community in Nigeria. It
will also serve as a platform for writers to learn from one another
and from established writers. The award-winning writer also stressed the
diverse views and opinions that the workshop encourages. “I think it is
important to have a diverse group of people, to have people who think
differently.
“What is happening there is that people are being validated,
that people are being made to understand that this thing they want to do matters. Every
society needs its storytellers. Because if we don’t have them, we lose
something. We lose something in our souls,” she said.
On his part, Sam Onyemelukwe, Managing Director, Venator
Partners/Trace Nigeria, said: “We are very pleased to partner with Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie. She is an inspiration to youths in Africa and around the world; and
through her art, she not only entertains but challenges stereotypes and kindles
conversations that would often otherwise not be heard. This corresponds with
the Trace mission to engage and inspire urban and Afro-Caribbean youths through
news, entertainment, arts, lifestyle and culture.”
Sheila Chukwulozie and Mazi Nwonwu, two alumni of the
workshop from different backgrounds, also spoke on how the creative writing
workshop had impacted their lives. A high point of the parley was when alumni
of the workshop present identified themselves and took a group photograph with
Adichie and Onyemelukwe.
Adichie also fielded questions from journalists on issues ranging
from feminism, literature and the writing workshop.
The workshop has graduated over 200 participants, many of
whom have become published and award-winning writers and editors.
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