The Arts-Muse Fair

By Paul Liam Sandra Rofem Hitarh’s debut collection of poems, The Voice of Your Village, is a promising debut that problematizes the social injustice, and dystopian aura in the land. It is rooted in the socialist vision that views poetry as an instrument for engineering social change, a rather strange obsession for a military officer. Hitarh’s aesthetics align with the Nigerian poetry tradition known for its romanization of utopia, characterized by the quest for social justice, harmony, and economic prosperity. The poems reecho the wailing anguish of voiceless citizens caught in the mesh of strife and misgovernance.    The Voice of Your Village, published by Sevhage Publisher, Makurdi in 2024, contains forty-three poems and a foreword by the renowned poet and scholar, Ismail Bala. Bala describes the collection as “fresh and unique” for ditching the “American idiom” and shunning “...the seeming convention of confessionalism so rampant in recent Nigerian poetry. Bala’s appraisal undersc

Heiress is set to release Carl Terver’s Glory to the Sky on August 25, 2024. Carl Terver is one of Nigeria’s best contemporary writers, mostly of the essay form, and a well-rounded critic. In Glory to the Sky — described as “short personal essays on photography” — Terver examines our ways of seeing, celebrates the beauty of the accidental and coincident, and discusses man’s propensity for wastefulness. This kind of writing follows the tradition of writers like Emmanuel Iduma and Teju Cole, in investigating life through photography. It is a pleasure to read and a masterful hand at work. Carl Terver’s first photography writing “ The Lessons of Hue Editing ” was published in 2021 in Afapinen. In this new photobook — which he claims was a discovery even to him — he has expanded his vision of writing about images, further stretching his boundaries. And he has so much to say. Glory to the Sky contains 35 original photographs accompanied by micro personal essays and photography writing. Carl

Poetic Wednesdays is thrilled to announce the inaugural Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST)! Mark your calendars for July 11th-14th, 2024, as Kano will come alive with a celebration of the city's rich poetic heritage and culture. Festivals weave the threads that unite hearts. They gather people from the dawn in the East to the embrace in the West, from Southern songs to Northern winds, bringing together a diverse populace for a sole purpose: a unifying love. In this case, poetry. This July, we witness the birth of an unprecedented gathering in Kano. Where HIBAF and FLP have graced us before, now arises "Kalamai: A Festival of Words and Expression," to celebrate the rich poetic legacy and literary history of Kano ta Dabo, Tumbin Giwa. This festival promises to be a unique platform for established and emerging poets, not just from Kano but from across the globe. Imagine a choir of voices from the East to the West, from the South to the North, all orchestrating the

Kaduna called and we answered!  The sound of it was everywhere! And of course, it was already anticipated.  In 2023, we waited for the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival. When it didn't happen, we tucked our pens in disappointment and prayed to the literary gods for its return.  Fun fact: They answered!!! You can imagine the excitement when KABAFEST returned and was held from the 1st to the 4th of May 2024.  From the streets to social media, Kaduna pulsed with a creative throb as the festival unfolded like a bibliophile's wonderland. I couldn’t resist immersing myself in this celebration of books, arts, and friends. The festival kicked off with a bang, honoring Helon Habila with the KABAFEST lifetime achievement award, a well-deserved recognition for his literary contributions.  The opening ceremony was a vibrant tapestry of poetry and music performances, book reading, and a rousing speech by the governor. This energy continued with a book chat featuring the beloved northern Nigeria

Idumaese Alao Foundation, instituted in memory of Idumaese Alao who passed on 13 February 2024 due to Breast Cancer at the age of 35, is hereby calling for entries (poetry) to the Idumaese Alao Prize for Literature, 2024, with a prize of 100,000 naira. Submission Guidelines 1. The theme is Terminal Frailties. We are on the look out for a variety of creative, brave, experimental interpretations of the theme. 2. Entries should not be longer than 40 lines. 3. Only Nigerian writers, 18 years and above, residing anywhere in the world are eligible. 4. Entries should be sent as word documents, Times New Roman, double line spacing. 5. There should be no identifying information on the entry. 6. Entry should be accompanied by a cover letter that comprises author’s third-person brief biography and location. 7. All entries should be sent to idumaesealaofoundation@gmail.com with the subject, 2024 Idumaese Alao Prize for Literature. 8. Deadline is 10 May, 2024. 9. Plagiarism and use of A