As part of the "Sharjah Literary Award" initiative within the framework of the African Literature Festival in Sharjah, Nigerian writer Ule Shoyinka emphasized the importance of freedom in the pursuit of happiness, stating: "Do what feels right for you, according to your own desire, and do not let it appear as an obligation imposed on you; this is the path to achieving happiness."
The festival program includes eight round tables and three inspiring seminars, as well as 12 interactive workshops for children, including creating ceramics, designing traditional crafts, and illustrating stories.
On the first day of the African Literature Festival in Sharjah, there was a discussion with Nigerian-American writer Nnedi Okorafor, where she discussed her latest book "The Death of the Author." Okorafor noted: "The Death of the Author" is not a genre-defying book, neither scientific-fantastic, nor literary, nor autobiographical; it is a blend of everything.
Shoyinka noted that the soul of the teacher runs in his blood, as his father was a teacher, and the most rewarding moments for him are when he writes something that inspires himself and others.
The chairman of the board of directors of the Sharjah Book Festival, Sheikh Budur bint Sultan al-Qasimi, noted that the African Literature Festival in Sharjah represents a unique opportunity to delve deeper into understanding one of the richest and most diverse human civilizations, as Africa carries within it an ancient cultural heritage, narrating the history of the continent through the ages.
Awarding Nigerian writer Ule Shoyinka with the Sharjah Literary Prize for his outstanding literary career and contribution to the global literary community, Sheikh Budur bint Sultan al-Qasimi stated that the festival also serves as a platform for promoting mutual understanding between the Arab and African worlds.
Emphasizing the importance of cultural interaction, Sharjah represents a new international event to uncover the beauty and depth of African culture, transforming literature into a common field where the Arab and African worlds can coexist, based on their cultural and civilizational foundations.
