All is set for the fifth edition of the Abuja Literary and Arts Festival (ALITFEST22), scheduled to kick start on October 2 and run through to October 8, 2022.
Keeping with the ALITFEST tradition, the one-week-long festival with the theme “The ~struggling~ thriving artists” will be heralded by pre-festival activities and succeeded by post-festival activities.
A statement issued by Bamas Victoria
ALITFEST22, Head of External Communications, said this year’s pre-fesival activities include a hybrid book jam on September 30 featuring award-winning poet Sueedie Vershima Agema and a reading circle.
“A creative workshop which will see Efe Paul Azino (poet), Yewande Omotosho (writer) and Kukogho Ireusiri Samson (writer, poet and art administrator) facilitating workshops on the themes of building a career as a poet and writing compelling characters is part of the main festival activities.
“Both workshops will be held virtually from 2–4 p.m. each day, starting with the Writing workshop on October 3 and the poetry workshop on October 4. While one of the post-festival activities tentatively scheduled to take place in November is a series of activities geared toward teen engagement. Others include the announcement of the short story competition winners sponsored by Roving Heights”, the statement said.
One of the highlights of ALITFEST22, which interestingly is a new addition to the festival, is the fashion show which is “a mis-mash of young and promising brands in Abuja who cater to street styles, corporate work wear and even fun and spontaneous staples” says the ALITFEST22 fashion event lead, Aida Olugbemiga.
Another high point is a stage play by Dike Chukwumerijie’s Simply Poetry titled “Man-made Gods”. The tickets for this can be obtained independently of the festival or with the festival’s here and here.
“The regular N2500 ticket for ALITFEST22 grants you access to the workshops, opening ceremony, poetry slam and closing session, which includes a fashion and music event. The stage play will be held at Merit House and comes at an additional cost of N2000 or N1000 (with PVC). Tickets for the stage play can be bought at the venue or online at a total cost of N4500 or N3500. The breakdown of the festival and venues will be emailed to everyone that buys a ticket,” explains the Festival Director, Teniola Tayo.