In this interminable era of social distancing, social media has emerged not only as a network for writers and creators to share content, but as a lifeline for readers to feel connected to each other. Fangirl dashboards have never been more alight with exclamation points and happy tear emojis as our favorite writers and performers virtually invite us into their homes!

South African writer, Zukiswa Wanner, inspired by her own fangirl experience watching John Legend’s #TogetherAtHome concert on YouTube, decided to create her own kind of #TogetherAtHome series featuring African writers. Wanner hatched the idea on Friday, March 20th, and over the course of one lightning WhatsApp weekend, @AfrolitSansFrontières was born!

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The virtual festival took place on Instagram and Facebook Live from March 23 to March 30, featuring 16 African writers: Richard Ali Mutu, Leye Adenle, Remy Ngamije, Hawa Jande Golakai, Maaza Mengiste, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, Nozizwe Cynthia Jele, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Yara Monteiro, Bisi Adjapon, Mohale Mashigo, Shadreck Chikoti, Chikè Frankie Edozien, Kalaf Epalanga, Natasha Omokhodion-Kalulu Banda, and of course, Zukiswa Wanner.

The writers read their work live, followed by juicy questions and banter from around the world. The overarching theme of this lighthearted festival was none other than sex…and death. Sub-themes covered on each day of the festival included: Sex and the City, Black Shags in Fair Cape, Love and Revolution, Grave and Deadly, Sex @Home or Abroad, Afofuturistic Sextualities, Displacement and micro-Orgasms, and Sex to Kill/Die For.

If you missed the live sessions, links to the content and videos can be found on James Murua’s Literature Blog and YouTube Channel.

See below for more highlights from the festival!

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