Africa39

New Writing from Africa south of the Sahara

Ellah Wakatama Allfrey

 

Synopsis

In 2014, UNESCO's World Book Capital is Port Harcourt, Nigeria-the first city in Africa to receive the designation by public bid. This makes it a special year for the Port Harcourt Book Festival, which will be in its seventh year, and bigger than ever. They are joining forces with the internationally renowned Hay Festival, which will bring to Port Harcourt its 39 Project-a competition to identify the thirty-nine most promising young talents under the age of forty in sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora. It follows the success of Bogotá 39 in 2007 and Beirut 39 in 2010.

Review

It is a gift to the world that these brave authors have written pieces which both educate and entertain, shedding insight into lives lived beyond the news headlines, and blazing with the idealistic spirit and passion of youth. ― The Independent

Author

Ellah Wakatama Allfrey is the former deputy editor of Granta, and a freelance editor and critic.