Africa Takes The Stage

June 28th, 2007 at 03:21pm Jessica Andrews 393

The 31st annual Aspen Summer Words was launched off at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 24th 2007, authors hand-picked to appear in a variety of different venues throughout the week by the Aspen Writers Foundation, were made available for book signings and an open reception at the Gant Hotel in Aspen.

The lax Sunday afternoon commencement was only the beginning of a weeks worth of speeches, stories, ideas, creative workshops, and lots and lots of words.

The Aspen Writers Foundation has dedicated the 2007 festival as a celebration of African literature and literary artists. These new-generation literary wonders have traveled half way across the world to present “Africa: The Origin of Stories,” right here at the Belly Up nightclub.

Executive director of the Aspen Writers Foundation, Lisa Consiglio introduced the African literary heavyweights on stage on Monday night in front of a full house.

“We have been on a rollercoaster of up and downs—but mostly ups—since we decided to contribute this year’s Summer Words to the African Literary Renaissance,” said Consiglio. “We have learned so much from these artists, all and all this has been a thrilling experience.”

Director for marketing and public relations for the Aspen Writers Foundation, Lara Whitley, said of the Summer Words Fest.

“This venue is our flagship program, we try to offer a retreat and literary festival that entertains an inspiring array of author readings and writing workshops to publishing industry panels and VIP receptions.”

With so much of Africa headlining the news these days it’s nice to see the wind blow a different direction as Americans and people all across the world recognize, Africa, a continent of 800 million and 53 countries, come to life in a Literary Renaissance.
It was no more than seven months ago that a record breaking number of journalists, magazine editors, and writers came to Nairobi, Kenya to celebrate what was dubbed a breathtaking Literary Festival. It included Nigerian Author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who is present this week at Aspen’s own Summer Words fest.

“Adiche appeared radiant and fresh,” according to "Vanity Fair" magazine. “Anyone even remotely observing the way she departed the crowd—Cleopatra style—could sense the dawn of a new age.”

This renaissance of words, in the worlds second largest continent, was first realized when young literary pioneers started the break the habit of Africa’s old-style storytelling-- based around ancient legends and myths—and began to tackle the more modern issues of culture clashing and racial and gender inequalities.

Hot on the front-burner, also, is the idea that for the first time in history the prevailing voice of the black female is taking over and being heard almost as frequently as the male equivalent.

Aspen Summer Words featured seven of Africa’s finest new scholarly heroes, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, along with 19 other award winning and bestselling authors from America.

With the heat of the afternoon sun beating down, listeners took comfort inside the cooled underground night-club where the ‘beat’ coming from literary legends representing their countries and their heritage took the stage as they conducted short readings and storytellings that literally captivated the crowds.

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