Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » Aké Arts And Book Festival: Lagos Beckons Global Tourists To Reclaim Truth Amidst Africa’s Premier Literary And Creative Convergence Published on
November 8, 2025The cultural calendar of Africa is once again poised to be marked by a momentous occasion as the Aké Arts & Book Festival prepares for its grand return. From November 20-22, 2025, the vibrant metropolis of Lagos will once more assume its role as the crucial hub for literary and creative dialogue across the continent and the diaspora. The announcement of this year’s gathering signifies the continuity of a tradition that has firmly established itself as the paramount convergence point for African creatives globally. This year, the festival celebrates its thirteenth edition, and a deeply resonant theme has been selected for the crucial discussions to be held: Reclaiming Truth. This thematic focus is considered to be exceptionally timely, reflecting a global imperative to scrutinize narratives and establish authenticated realities in an age characterized by informational complexity.Establishing the Festival’s Historical and Foundational PillarsThe genesis of the Aké Arts & Book Festival is traceable to a profound understanding of the necessity for a dedicated space where African literature and arts could be discussed, celebrated, and interrogated without external filters. A visionary platform was sought, and one was successfully realized through the tireless efforts of Lola Shoneyin and the subsequent operations of the Book Buzz Foundation. Year after year, the festival has been carefully curated to not only exhibit established literary giants but also to shine a spotlight on emerging voices whose works are reshaping the contours of African narratives. The consistent quality and breadth of the programming have meant that the festival’s reputation has been cemented as the largest assembly of African creatives in the world, a status that is robustly maintained for the thirteenth edition.Advertisement A Literary Program Defined by Global VoicesThe caliber of guests assembled for this year’s festival confirms the event’s international standing. The highlight of the program is undoubtedly the presence of one of the world’s most celebrated literary figures, Bernardine Evaristo. An exclusive interview will be conducted with Ms. Evaristo, who is to be hosted by Angela Wachuka. This session is widely awaited as an opportunity for the audience to gain unparalleled insight into the author’s creative processes and her perspectives on global literature. Such high-profile participation reinforces the festival’s objective of bridging cultural divides through the shared experience of storytelling.Further literary engagement will be provided through specialized book chats that feature conversations between intellectual heavyweights. For instance, an insightful discussion will be held regarding the work of Alain Mabanckou, which will be accompanied by an exploration of Bofane In Koli Jean’s work, Congo Inc. This pairing is ant …
