Monday, May 29, 2023

Call For Submission: Anthology Of Short Stories/Poems On The Sudanese Civil War

 

CALL FOR SUBMISSION: ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES/POEMS ON THE SUDANESE CIVIL WAR"


 

 

"Thorns, Tears and Treachery: An Anthology of Short Stories/Poems on the Sudanese Civil War"

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The global headquarters of the International Human Rights Art Festival, IHRAF, in conjunction with its African Chapter hereby calls for submission of literary creative works - short stories and poems on the Sudanese conflicts, especially on the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

 

IMPORTANT CRITERIA

 

Selected works that meet our criteria of excellence will be published in an anthology titled "Thorns, Tears and Treachery: An Anthology of Short Stories/Poems on the Sudanese Civil War". Writers whose works would be selected for publication will receive $50.00 each.

 

The anthology is primarily a Pan-African project that seeks to harness the views and voices of Sudanese and African writers at home and abroad on the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Works submitted for this anthology must not have been previously published elsewhere.

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

 

Works that are to be submitted for this anthology must be original and not recast(s) of already existing works. All submissions are subjected to the international copyright laws and authors should note that they retain full responsibility for any sort of infringements.  Works submitted for the forthcoming anthology are expected to be of the highest language and literary quality.

 

COPYRIGHT

 

The copyright to all selected works is to be held by the IHRAF and authors of the works. The anthology will be published in hard copies, on the IHRAF website and other notable online platforms.

 

METHOD OF SUBMISSION

 

All submissions to this anthology which must not be more than three (3) poems and not more than two (2) short stories should be submitted to: submissionsentriesihraf@gmail.com as MS Word attachment formatted in Times New Roman font size 12, or by clicking on:  https://forms.gle/i4i9FGXusCvrsuaSA

Screenshots or writings in jpg will not be attended to. All submissions must include author's brief bio-data and contact details such as address, email, phone number/WhatsApp number etc.

 

DEADLINE

 

Submission commences immediately from the date of this publication. Deadline for  receipt of all submissions is 30th June, 2023. Selected works that meet our criteria of excellence will be announced between August and September, 2023 and authors whose works are selected will be contacted.

 

ABOUT US

 

International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) gives voice to the voiceless; protects freedom of expression, and uses creativity to highlight human rights and social justice causes around the world.  The organization brings together all members of society through her programmes, from artists-in-exile and at risk; to activists on the front lines of the struggle for rights and justice in their own country; to artists working in all media, to national and international politicians, government agencies, social leaders and celebrities.  IHRAF believes that creative engagement with all members of the society is the surest path toward social justice and positive change.

 

CONTACTS

 

For further information and inquiries, please call, SMS, WhatsApp the following:

 

Wole: +234 807 267 3852 woleadedoyin@gmail.com

 

or

 

Terseer: +234 807 722 3196 terseersam@gmail.com

www.ihraf.org

 

IHRAF Invites Literary Works on the Sudanese Civil War

 

IHRAF INVITES LITERARY WORKS ON THE SUDANESE CIVIL WAR


 

By Wole Adedoyin

The International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) is excited to announce a call for submissions of creative literary works, including short stories and poems, focused on the Sudanese conflicts, particularly the ongoing civil war in Sudan. This project, titled "Thorns, Tears and Treachery: An Anthology of Short Stories/Poems on the Sudanese Civil War," is a collaborative effort between IHRAF Global Headquarters and its African Chapter.

The main objective of this initiative is to amplify the perspectives and voices of Sudanese and African writers, both within and outside of Sudan, on the crucial issue of the ongoing conflict. Selected works that demonstrate exceptional quality will be published in the anthology, providing a platform for these writers to express their experiences, emotions, and insights.

To be eligible for consideration, submitted works must be original and unpublished. We encourage writers to strive for the highest standards of language and literary excellence, ensuring that their submissions reflect their artistic abilities authentically. Writers whose works are chosen for publication will receive a compensation of $50 each.

While IHRAF will retain the copyright to all selected works, the authors will maintain their rights to their respective pieces. The anthology will be published in hard copies, on the IHRAF website, and on other reputable online platforms, allowing a wide readership to engage with these powerful narratives.

Submissions should consist of a maximum of three (3) poems or two (2) short stories and must be sent via email as MS Word attachments to submissionsentriesihraf@gmail.com. Please use Times New Roman font size 12 for formatting. Submissions in the form of screenshots or JPGs will not be considered. Additionally, all submissions must include the author's brief bio-data and contact details, including address, email, phone number/WhatsApp number, and any relevant social media handles.

The submission process commences immediately upon the release of this press statement and will continue until June 30, 2023. The selection process will take place between August and September 2023, during which works meeting our criteria of excellence will be chosen, and authors will be duly notified.

IHRAF is an organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of the marginalized, safeguarding freedom of expression, and utilizing creativity to shed light on human rights and social justice causes worldwide. Our programs bring together exiled artists, activists, artists of all mediums, politicians, government agencies, social leaders, and celebrities to foster creative engagement and facilitate positive change in society.

For further information, inquiries, or assistance, please contact Wole at +234 807 267 3852 or woleadedoyin@gmail.com, or Terseer at +234 807 722 3196 or terseersam@gmail.com. More details can be found on our website at www.ihraf.org.

IHRAF eagerly awaits compelling submissions that reflect the depth and complexity of the Sudanese Civil War and its impact on the people of Sudan.

 

Monday, May 15, 2023

ANA to Honor 10th Anniversary of Chinua Achebe's Passing with Roundtable Discussion

 

ANA TO HONOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHINUA ACHEBE'S PASSING WITH ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION


 

By Wole Adedoyin

On the 10th anniversary of Chinua Achebe's passing, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is set to commemorate the renowned novelist through a series of literary activities. Chinua Achebe, Africa's most celebrated novelist and the pioneer of African fiction, left an indelible mark on the literary landscape with his seminal work, "Things Fall Apart," published in 1958. This novel not only challenged European narratives about Africans but also revolutionized the novel form by combining oral and literary traditions and reshaping the English language to reflect Igbo voices and concepts.

To honor Achebe's legacy, ANA will host a day roundtable discussion with the theme "Re-visiting Chinua Achebe's Position on Colonial Language and Creative Writing in Africa." This event will take place on Saturday, 20th May 2023, at the prestigious Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre (CAICC) located in the Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village in Mpape, Abuja.

The roundtable discussion will feature an international panel of esteemed scholars, writers, and intellectuals who will explore Achebe's views on colonial language and its impact on creative writing in Africa. Panelists include Terri Ochlagha from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, UK; Manfred Metzner from Verlag Das Wunderhorn Publishing in Heidelberg, Germany; Barack Wanderah Oduor, a writer from Webuye, Kenya; Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, a writer and poet from Egypt; and Romeo Oriogun, an author from Iowa, USA.

In addition to the panelists, there will be contributions from notable figures in the Nigerian literary scene, including Denja Abdulahi, Dike Chukwumerije, and Jahman Anikulapo. The discussion will be moderated by Razinat Mohammed from the University of Abuja and Emmanuel Sule Egya from IBB University.

The convener of the event is Professor E.S. Dandaura, who has played a pivotal role in organizing this commemoration. Chidi Ukwu will act as the host, overseeing the smooth execution of the activities throughout the day. The chief host of the event is Camillus Ukah, the President of ANA, who will extend a warm welcome to all participants.

As part of the event's efforts to foster literary relationships and highlight Abuja's pursuit of a UNESCO Creative Cities Network designation in Literature, this roundtable discussion holds significance not only for ANA but also for the literary community at large.

For those unable to attend physically, the event will be accessible via Zoom, with the meeting ID 865 2515 2170 and passcode ACHEBE@10, ensuring a wider audience can engage with the thought-provoking discourse on Achebe's enduring legacy.

This occasion serves as a poignant reminder of Chinua Achebe's profound impact on African literature, and it provides an opportunity for writers, scholars, and enthusiasts to reflect on his contributions, re-examine his views on language and creativity, and carry his legacy forward into the future.

 

Authors' Groove: Elevating Nigerian Literature through Camillus Ukah's ANA Presidency

 

AUTHORS' GROOVE: ELEVATING NIGERIAN LITERATURE THROUGH CAMILLUS UKAH'S ANA PRESIDENCY


 

 

By: Wole Adedoyin

Under Camillus Ukah's four years of ANA presidency, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has successfully organized the annual event known as Authors' Groove, held during the Nigeria International Book Fair. This event serves as a platform for discussing the latest trends in Nigerian literature and attracts both authors and book enthusiasts.

Authors' Groove has become a significant highlight of the Nigeria International Book Fair, attracting both established and emerging authors, scholars, and literature enthusiasts. Through the thought-provoking themes and engaging panel discussions, these events have contributed to the growth and recognition of Nigerian literature on both national and international platforms. Under Camillus Ukah's ANA presidency, Authors' Groove has solidified its position as an essential event for literary discourse in Nigeria, further enriching the vibrant literary landscape of the country.

In 2020, amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the theme of Authors' Groove was "Creative and Other Writings During the Covid-19 Pandemic & Afterwards." The panel discussion, moderated by Olatunbosun Taofeek, featured esteemed panelists Henry Akubuiro, Anote Ajeluoruo, Ekaete George, Sola Alamutu, and Onyekachi Onuoha. Despite the pandemic, the event successfully took place on September 4, 2020, utilizing the Zoom platform.

The following year, in 2021, Authors' Groove centered around the theme "Women at the Centre Stage: The Nigerian Stories." Taofeek Olatunbosun once again anchored the event, and the panelists included prominent figures such as Mabel Segun, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Edozie Udeze, Lola Akande, Kunnu Taiwo, Betty Ige, C.M. Okonkwo, and Sarah Rotimi. This event took place on July 29, 2023, at the Function Room D, Hall B, Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos.

In 2022, Authors' Groove explored the theme "How Can the Nigerian Writing Industry do better than the Nigerian Music Industry?" Olatunbosun Taofeek led the event as the anchor, while the panelists included Akeem Lasisi, Folu Agoi, Lekan Balogun, Moshood Oba, Lola Akande, Henry Akubuiro, AJ Daggar Tolar, Tanko Okodua, and Lawrence Salome. This engaging discussion took place on May 14, 2022, at the Harbour Point Event Center in Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The most recent installment of Authors' Groove, held in 2023, focused on the theme "The Place of Creative Writing in National Development." The event took place on May 13, 2023, at Yard 158 Arena, opposite the Citadel, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Dr. Charles Akwen from Mountain Top University and Dr. Promise Adelie from the University of Lagos delivered insightful speeches on the theme, with Olatunbosun Taofeek moderating the event.

Throughout these four years, Camillus Ukah's ANA presidency has played a vital role in organizing and ensuring the success of the Authors' Groove events. Taofeek Olatunbosun, the former National PRO of ANA, has been instrumental in supporting these endeavors, serving as the anchor and moderator for each event. Together, they have fostered a platform for Nigerian authors to showcase their works, exchange ideas, and contribute to the development of literature in Nigeria.