On November 16, 2020, young writers in Anambra State, Nigeria, will mark Chinua Achebe’s 90th posthumous birthday with a literary festival and memorial lecture. Achebe died on 21st March, 2013  at the age of 82.

The event, Chinua Achebe Literary Festival And Maiden Memorial Lecture, is organized by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, in collaboration with the Anambra State Library Board.

This year, the festival is themed “Chinua Achebe: Our Heritage In A New Normal” and will take place on November 16 at the State Library, in Awka, Anambra, Achebe’s home-state, starting at 10:AM. The event will be transmitted live by DigiTV.

According to the Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, (Anambra State Chapter), Izunna Okafor, the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival was established in 2016. This edition will feature lectures in memory of Achebe, dramatizations of Achebe’s work, spoken word poetry, announcement of the winners of the 2020 Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition (sponsored by the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation), art exhibition, award presentation, and the presentation of the Fifth Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology entitled “Achebe: A Man of the People.”

The Chinua Achebe Memorial Lecture will be delivered at the event by Oseloka Henry Obaze a writer and former Secretary to the State Government in Anambra State. Sir Chuka Nnabuife, MD/CEO Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation is chairman of the occasion.

The festival and the lecture will be declared open by His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano with Prof. Peter Umeadi former Chief of Anambra State serving as Special Guest of honor.

Renowned novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (NLNG prize-winning author), Uzor Maxim Uzoatu (author of “God of Poetry”), Odili Ujubuoñu (author of “Pregnancy of the gods”), Isidore Emeka Uzoatu (author of “Vision Impossible”), Okeke Chika Jerry (author of “The gods Are Hungry”), Rev. Fr. Ositadimma Amakeze (author of “The Last Carver”), James Eze (author of ” Dispossessed”), Paul Ifeanyi (author of “The Pregnant Virgin”), State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Dr. Christian Madubuko, veteran Nollywood Actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu, the Director General, Digital Entrepreneurship Office, Ifeanyi Anagoh, among other dignitaries, are expected at the event. Young and established writers from within and outside the country will also be in attendance.