Abuja’s special book event
As a result, Perhaps, not many people knew of the FOR YOU TO READ! (A VOUS DE LIRE!), a book fiesta organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Abuja chapter in collaboration with the French Institute (Institut Français) Nigeria, the Cassava Republic Press (CRP) and the Reading And Writing Organization (RAW). The book event […]
As a result, Perhaps, not many people knew of the FOR YOU TO READ! (A VOUS DE LIRE!), a book fiesta organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Abuja chapter in collaboration with the French Institute (Institut Français) Nigeria, the Cassava Republic Press (CRP) and the Reading And Writing Organization (RAW). The book event which brought book enthusiasts together for three days, 26th-29th May was meant to mark both the Children’s Day and Presidential Inauguration.
FOR YOU TO READ featured among other things; book exhibition, readings, critique, literary picnic, round table, book quiz, book-cinema and celebration of book and workshops. Children were also especially honoured as two days (26th and 27th) were set apart for them to mark Children’s day celebration with books.
According to the Chairman of Abuja chapter of ANA, the idea of FOR YOU TO READ came up when ANA was brainstorming on how to make Children Day Celebration for Abuja students.
“We decided to be making this weekend book friendly,” he said. “And this year is the second edtion and the turn out proves to us that this is a good project.”
Also speaking, the Director of Institut Francais, Mr. Mark Fenoli said that the Centre chose to support the initiative because it believes that book is a veritable tool of cultural revival and social orientation.
“We at this centre are already doing a lot in Nigeria, in the area of cultural revival, but this one project we found very important. We hope to enhance it in the future, by packaging it in such a way that Francophone countries of West Africa will be participating. But for now we are happy at the success we are recording with it. It is a sign that people here still love books.”
The event formally opened on midday of Thursday 26th May with the organisers hosting primary schools pupils from selected FCT schools to a drama and poetry workshops. The pupils had the opportunity of interacting with children book author Theresa Ameh, broadcaster and author Joy Okoduwa, ANA Abuja chairman Seyi Adigun and the representatives of Institut français (French Cultural Centre, Abuja), Cassava Republic Press, and Reading and Writing Organization. Later in the evening a children film, “Kirikou and the Witch”, adapted from a French book was screened for the children.
Later, “Manuscript Night” opened in one of the halls of the venue, where thirteen manuscripts by Abuja writers and beyond, were read and critiqued. The works were drawn from all the genres, including children literature.
The event of 27th May opened with drama and poetry workshop for secondary school students compeered by Mr. Benjamin Ubiri, an Abuja based writer and literary journalist. Later in the evening, there was another cinebook presentation: “De Broca” a film adapted from a novel by Hervé Bazin was screened for the audience.
Saturday 28th May opened with a Book Fair and Book Exhibition at the garden of the Institut français. There was also a story telling corner for children inside the Institute Library. Running alongside was a Literary Workshop on “How to write Romance Novel” organised by Cassava Republic Press.
Other events featured include Book Quiz a Literary Picnic with theme “The book that changed my life,” refreshments, get-together and interaction by participants at the Institut français garden.
In the words of Salamatu Sule, the winner of the Book Quiz and first time participant in a book event, “This is a wonderful interactive moment for me. I mean seeing a whole lot of people who are enthusiastic about books. I am happy, and I look forward to this kind of event in the future. It is a good way to make books a part of our lives.”