Farafina continues hunt for future Nobel laureates

Adichie
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When the Nigeria Breweries Plc announced its decision to support the Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop with an initial donation of N7m in 2009, the gesture was hailed by writers and other key players in the literary community as a timely boost to creative enterprise in the country.

The participants were expected to receive sufficient training in the art of creative writing so that they could, in the long run, contribute meaningfully to the development of literature in this part of the world.

In his message to the class of 2012, the Managing Director of NB Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde, observed that the workshop had impacted on Nigerian writing positively.

“I have no doubt that this special workshop has helped in no small way to improve the skills of Nigerian writers, as well as encouraged both published and unpublished writers by giving them a platform to fulfill the urge for self-expression. I believe our mutual objective is being realized as the creative writers’ workshop continues to attract huge interest within and outside of Nigeria.

 “I am also personally delighted to be part of this initiative which places premium on creativity through literary arts for the last two years.  It is our hope that the writers that have emerged from this workshop will have the potential to become future Nobel laureates in literature,” he had said, adding that the presence of experienced and distinguished writers as facilitators had further enriched subsequent editions of the project.

Fortunately, four years on, the creative workshop is waxing stronger than ever. The workshop continues to groom talented writers to fill the yawning gap in Nigerian literature, even as recent developments point to a possible fulfillment of Vervelde’s dream.

 As always, Adichie, the Kenyan writer, Binyanvanga Wainaina and other facilitators will teach the 2013 class between August 6 and August 16.

The primary goal of the workshop remains the same: to improve the craft of writers and to encourage published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling.

Participation is limited only to those who apply and are accepted. Successful applicants will be assigned to a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises.

The deadline for submission is June 12, 2013. More so, accommodation in Lagos will be provided for all accepted applicants who are able to attend for the ten-day duration of the workshop.

A literary evening of readings, open to the public, will be held at the end of the workshop on August 16, 2013.