Chris Abani is the star guest at the 2017 Lagos International Poetry Festival.

Two weeks ago, we announced the third edition of the Lagos International Poetry Festival, set to happen from 1-5 November. Founded in 2015 by the performance poet Efe Paul Azino, author of For Broken Men Who Cross Often, this year’s festival will be held at Freedom Park, Lagos, and will feature three evenings of performances, nine panels, six workshops, one party, and an adventure to Badagary. Among the guests are Chris Abani and Brittle Paper Award for Poetry finalist Koleka Putuma.

We bring you now the key events.

“Collective Amnesia: An Evening with Koleka Putuma & Sabrina Mahfouz”

Two of the most urgent voices in poetry and performance come together for an evening of healing, magic and excitement.

Award winning poet and theatre practitioner Koleka Putuma has taken the South African literary scene by storm with her debut collection of poems Collective Amnesia, which has sold over 2000 copies in less than 5 months, and has been prescribed for study at tertiary level in South African Universities.

Sabrina Mahfouz was raised in London and Cairo. Named as a ‘modern Renaissance woman’ by The Scotsman, ‘a 2017 Wonder Woman’ by Marie Claire and ‘one of the rising stars of new British playwriting’ by The Herald.

Date: Thursday, 2 November 2017

Venue: Bogobiri, 7, MaitamaSule, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi

Time: 6pm

Entry: N1,000

“Poetry After Dark: Poems Apostle Must Not Hear”

A night of love poems, naughty muses, wine, beer, finger foods and music, Poetry After Dark is an open party with the #LIPFest17 guests under the night skies. The mic will be open so you can step up and share those poems Apostle must not hear and have a silent disco afterparty with friends.

Date: Thursday, 2 November 2017

Venue: Roof Top, Goethe Institut, City Hall, Lagos Island.

Time: 6 p.m. 

“Women Changing the World One Verse at a Time”

What do you get when Titilope Sonuga, Koleka Putuma, Sabrina Mahfouz, Sophia Walker and Wana Udobang meet? Magic, that’s what. Hosted by the Goethe Institut, these amazing poets and storytellers will share personal experiences on working and breaking barriers as a female writer and poet.

“The Londoners Are Coming”

Some of the most vibrant voices on the UK scene bring that London vibe to Lagos in conversation with Wana Udobang. Don’t miss the Londoners are Coming.

Date: Nov. 4th 2017

Time: 2 p.m.

Venue: Freedom Park, Kongi’s Harvest Gallery

The full program of events can be downloaded HERE.