Culture enthusiasts in Ozoro, Isoko and Delta State generally will be treated to literary fervour as Berkeley’s Lounge, nestled at 45 Kwale Road, by NNPC in Ozoro, Delta State, sets the stage for an enchanting evening, as Anote Ajeluorou performs from his poetic offering, Libations for Africa. This cultural extravaganza is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 10, 2023, starting at 5 pm, and promises to be a must-see.
Renowned Lagos-based journalist, writer and the visionary behind TheArtHubNg (www.thearthubng.com), Anote Ajeluorou, will grace the event with his poetic prowess. Ajeluorou’s published works have consistently captured the hearts of readers, earning him widespread acclaim. Among his notable achievements, Ajeluorou’s literary gem, Igho Goes to Farm, stands tall, having been longlisted for The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2019. His multifaceted career includes serving as the former Arts Editor of The Guardian and Head of Politics desk.
Berkeley’s Book Hangout invites literature enthusiasts and culture aficionados to immerse themselves in the artistry of Anote Ajeluorou. Join him for an evening of poetic enchantment at Berkeley’s Lounge, where the fusion of words and libations will create a memorable celebration of African culture.
According to the organisers, “save the date and make your way to Berkeley’s Lounge on December 10, 2023, at 5 pm, as we embark on a poetic journey that pays homage to the soil and spirit of Africa. This promises to be an unmissable event, a celebration of literature, culture and the rich tapestry of African storytelling”.
According to Ajeluorou, “This poetic outing is appropriate homage to the soil and spirit of Africa and a resurrection of the signposts of Africa’s cultural past that are fast fading away, as her own children abandon her for the somewhat dubious modern and foreign. Africa’s cultural past that includes its rich traditions in songs and dance, the art of storytelling, science and medicine, religious rituals and worship, the very essence of her humanity are what the poems in Libations for Africa aptly capture. They are a reminder of Africa’s glorious and sometimes inglorious past and what our ancestors represented, their nobility, their frailties, their all. No one wishes away his or her own past, no matter what, as it informs the present and the future. So we will generously pour libations for the health of Africa’s future.
“I performed in Delta last February, but it was at Ughelli. But this time around, I will be performing in my own hometown, Ozoro (Ozo Idhudhu)! This is huge for me. It’s perhaps the first time a son of the soil will showcase his literary craft in the town. What a place to pour libations! In other words, what a time to offer prayers, because that’s what libations are for – prayers for our troubled continent and country! I’m so excited about this. I have the CEO of Berkelo Ventures, owner of Berkley’s Lounge, Chief Berkeley Asiafa, to thank for the opportunity to perform my poetry in Ozoro.”