Soyinka’s literary journey to be showcased at Lagos festival

An exhibition, documentary film and illustrated comic book are among the activities planned to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s historic achievement in literature.

The programme, themed Ake to Stockholm, will form part of the eighth edition of Timeless Memories: Elastic Effects of Wole Soyinka, curated by archivist and cultural curator, Oludamola Adebowale, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Art and the 27th Lagos Book and Art Festival.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, Adebowale said the project would explore the experiences and influences that shaped Soyinka’s journey to international recognition.

Soyinka made history in 1986 when he became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

“For eight years, I have had the privilege of conceptualising, curating and producing Timeless Memories as a sustained engagement with the life, works and ideas of one of Africa’s most influential literary figures,” Adebowale said.

The flagship exhibition will run from November 16 to 29, 2026, at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos. It will feature archival photographs, historical documents and visual materials documenting Soyinka’s literary journey.

Adebowale said the project aimed to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage and make it accessible to younger generations.

“We believe that preserving history must go hand in hand with making it accessible,” he said, adding that the documentary and comic book would introduce young people to Soyinka as a writer, dramatist and public intellectual whose works raise questions about freedom, justice, power and human dignity.

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The programme will also feature an international panel discussion, From Nobel to Posterity: Archiving Wole Soyinka’s Literary Legacy, hosted by the Section on Literary Archives of the International Council on Archives. The discussion will examine ways to preserve Soyinka’s literary legacy and improve access to it.

Another highlight is The Rebel Series (WS in 1986), a contemporary art exhibition featuring Adewale John at Adegbola Gallery and curated by Adebowale.

He said the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the experiences and struggles behind Soyinka’s achievement.

“Our responsibility is not only to celebrate the destination, but also to preserve and tell the story of the journey,” he said.

Launched in 2019, Timeless Memories: Elastic Effects of Wole Soyinka explores the literary icon’s life and intellectual legacy through archival research, exhibitions and other creative projects.