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Nobel Laureates Wole Soyinka and J.M.G
Le Clezio are the headliners of the third Garden City Literary
Festival, which opens in Port Harcourt on December 8. An initiative of
the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and organised by
Koko Kolango of the Rainbow Book Club, the festival is intended “to
highlight the significant contribution of writers to the story of
African nations.”

The theme of this year’s edition is ’50
Years of Post-Colonial Literature’, and also doubles as a celebration
of Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee independence anniversary. In commemoration,
50 Nigerian writers are to be honoured for their contributions to the
country’s literary development over the last five decades. The honorees
will be recognised in a special award gala during the festival.

The organisers said, “The focus on
writers and their role in developing nations is part of Rainbow’s
commitment to enhancing the future by promoting a reading culture on
the continent.” Nominations of writers to be honoured, can be made on
the GCLF website (www.gardencityfestival.com).

The 2010 GCLF sees the return of Wole
Soyinka to Port Harcourt for the festival. He last graced the event
when it was inaugurated in 2008; the venue then was the University of
Port Harcourt. Kenyan writer, Ngugi wa Thiong’o was special guest
writer at the 2009 edition, held at the Presidential Hotel, Port
Harcourt. Also featured on the 2009 programme were writers including
J.P. Clark, Sefi Atta and Igoni Barrett.

The festival promises to be bigger than
ever this year, with a variety of events including: a literature
conference, writers’, drama presentations, workshops, photo exhibition
and a book fair. There will be interactive sessions with authors as
well as an essay competition for children.

The Garden City Literary Festival holds at the Presidential Hotel
and the University of Port Harcourt, between December 8 and 11.