Plans For the Worldwide Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Achebe ' s ' Things Fall Apart'

By Arthur Smith
The depth and enduring literary value of
Chinua Achebe's seminal novel Things Fall
Apart should challenge younger writers in
Africa to live up to the challenge of
maintaining and even surpassing the
expectations already raised by Achebe. If
Achebe's seminal work has remained a book for all times, it
was because of the author's originality and creativity as seen
in his exploitation of local scenes, characters, cultural
traditions, history as well as oral lore to mold a language that
captures the feel and verbal texture of Igbo through the
medium of English and thus put his own story in the
international arena of stories. Younger African novelists to
attain this enviable height should sufficiently exert their
imagination to produce original works whose appeal will
outlive the fancies and idiosyncrasies of the moment as
Achebe did.
As a timely response to the colonial biases about the African
continent purveyed through the works of some Europeans, the
novel provides a counterpoise demolishing foreign
assumptions and presumptions about Africa. As a mirror of
the conflict of culture that then ensued as a consequence of
Europe's discovery, invasion and partition of Africa, the novel
explored a thematic concern that was at the heart of African
Literature of the 20th century.
But what has marked Achebe's effort out is the universality of
his perspective. All over the world, accounts of foreign
cultures and attitudes are usually distorted when the story is
told from the point of view of an outsider. Under such a
situation, it would normally take the penetrating insight of an
informed native to present the facts of the matter in a fair and
objective way.
Thus, if the Joyce Carys and Joseph Conrads of Europe who
took more than a cursory interest in Africa painted a picture of
land peopled by primitive African personalities or entertained
the reader with an outlandish story of a dark continent replete
with horrendous deeds, it took a systematic deconstruction
and reconstruction as Achebe undertook in his maiden novel
Things Fall Apart to see through the lies and know the truth
about Africa.
Given the fame and popularity that the novel has achieved
over the years, it will not be out of place to say that it has
even grown well beyond Achebe's imagination and
expectation. Across the universities of the world, the book is
now a staple in the study of the humanities, with whole
libraries of theses and dissertations been written on it as a
timeless piece of literature whose appeal and penetration
continues to grow and increase with the passage of time.
It is through the profundity of the book as well as the scope
and depth of the author's imagination, that the book has
remained an all-time classic. The issues it dwelt on 50 years
ago have continued to resonate with freshness and greater
appeal, remaining as relevant today as they were when the
novel was first written. In its 50th year therefore, the literary
world is standing tall and proud to associate itself, with a
book that anybody with genuine claims not just to liberal
education but to literacy ought to read. Consequently, global
acclaim and honour are being lavished on a book that one
could justly say is in a class of its own.
Several international events in about fifteen countries are
planned, some even already executed or ongoing to mark the
50th Anniversary of Achebe's seminal novel, Things Fall Apart
this year.
The University of London's School of Advanced Study,
Institute of English Studies is hosting a two-day conference
entitled "Things Fall Apart, 1958-2008 from October 11-12".
The progress of Things Fall Apart the conference organisers
state, was an inspiration for writers and readers not only on
the African continent but throughout the world. "Fifty years
later, this conference seeks to revisit that novel and assess its
significance then and now."
Elsewhere in Europe, major conferences are planned for
Portugal, France and Sweden. European radio stations, book
clubs and literary organizations are also planning events to
span the year.
In Asia the Indian Council for Cultural Relations' announced a
"seminar to mark the world wide celebrations,of the 50th year
of its publication to be organized by Department of English,
Osmania University, Hyderabad, during 2008." Other events
are planned for Singapore and China in the course of the Year.
In America, several events are planned for Rio De Janeiro,
Brazil, New York City, Houston, Texas, Washington D.C.,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Annandale, New York, USA.
Bard College, in Annandale, New York, Achebe's current base,
is planning a major international conference and a series of
other events throughout the year.
The Canadians also have a conference and literary events
scheduled for later in the Year.
Princeton University, one of America's oldest and most
distinguished citadels of higher learning will be reading Chinua
Achebe's Things Fall Apart in the third installment of Princeton
Reads, the biannual one-book, and one community event. The
Ivy League institution selected Things Fall Apart , Chinua
Achebe's portrait of the effects of British colonialism and
Christianity in turn of the century Nigeria, "to unite the
community through this extraordinary work of literature," said
Readers Services Librarian Kristin Pehnke, the coordinator.
The event is co-sponsored by Labyrinth Books and the Centre
for African American Studies at Princeton University. Dorothea
von Moltke of Labyrinth expressed delight that Achebe will
honor them with his presence. While encouraging everyone in
Princeton to read the book during March, 2008, the library
presented a variety of programmes to keep the community
listening, watching and discussing, culminating with a visit
from the author on March 26. An assortment of programmes
from lectures to film screenings to poetry readings are in the
works. There will also be several arts programmes, some of
which will pay homage to the African oral tradition.
Community merchants and organizations are to sponsor book
groups, at the library and at off-site locations so that there is
ample opportunity for discussion, Pehnke said.
The Association of Nigerian Authors (of which Achebe is
founding president) held a two-day series of activities. It has
organized an international colloquium with the theme, "Telling
the African Story".The major event of the anniversary, an
international colloquium was held at the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka with two keynote speakers: the Kenyan writer, Prof.
Ngugi wa Thiong'o, and the Nigerian scholar, Prof. Ernest
Emenyonu. The colloquium involved the invitation of foreign
writers and scholars such as Nurrudin Farah of Somalia, Ayi
Kwei Armah of Ghana, Lewis Nkosi of South Africa, Professor
Charles Larson in the USA, who were to present papers and
talks as well as scholars on Achebe in Nigerian universities
were also to present papers. Fifteen other distinguished
writers and scholars from all over the world were to
participate
There were plenary sessions on the theme of the celebration
by foreign and local scholars, book exhibitions, visit to
historical places like where Achebe stayed when he wrote
Things Fall Apart , special auction of early copies of the book,
screening of NTA adaptation of Things Fall Apart , and dramatic
enactments of Achebe's novels on stage etc.
The celebration began with an interactive session at the
National Theatre Complex, Lagos, with the speakers drawn
from well known writers and academics in Nigeria. The chair
of ANA Lagos, moderated the occasion, which was chaired by
Chief Segun Olusola.
An evening of dance tributes by the National Troupe of Nigeria
concluded the day's session. The celebration shifted to NTA,
Abuja, where the guest speaker, Mrs. Eugenia Abu, led a
discussion on the topic, "Things Fall Apart and the Nigerian
Child". Quiz, spelling and reading competitions among invited
secondary school students; screening of NTA production of
Things Fall Apart , role modelling session by teenage authors,
poetry performances, and variety shows, are among the
activities lined up.
A symposium on the theme of the celebration took place at
the popular Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, with, Prof.
Sham Sudeen O.O. Amali, former vice chancellor, University
of Ilorin; Dr. Festus Iyayi, University of Benin; Dr. Reuben
Abati, The Guardian newspaper, Lagos; and Miss Tayo Ajayi,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife as speakers.
Things Fall Apart was on stage, along with a performance of
Biyi Bandele's adaptation by the Jos Repertory Theatre at the
Cultural Centre, Mokola Ibadan.
There was an excursion to Ogidi, Achebe's ancestral home,
and visits to historical places in Anambra State,ending with a
luncheon by Anambra State Government in the afternoon.
The highpoint of the celebration was the night of Griots at
Awka, Anambra State, in the evening with the griots including
Wole Soyinka, Gabriel Okara, Jimi Solanke, Elechi Amadi,
Chukwuemeka Ike, Labo Yari, Mabel Segun, Demas Nwoko,
J.P. Clark, Okey Ndibe and Femi Osofisan..
Other events included opening cocktails, performance of the
winning entry of the playwriting competition on Achebe's work
apart from TFA, relaunching of Okike: Journal of African New
Writings founded by Achebe, and award dinners. An art
competition, involved the creation of a poster around the
theme, "Achebe and Things Fall Apart @ 50".The chosen
poster will be reproduced in thousands and distributed
internationally, especially to schools and libraries.The posters
will also be selected for an exhibition to take place during the
celebration.
ANA having sought and got the consent of Prof Achebe saw
that. "He and his family are very thrilled about the whole
arrangement. " and kept in regular touch with the family
through Chidi Achebe, one of the icon's sons.
In addition, several events are also planned to occur in South
Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ghana and The
Gambia.
USAfrica has also honored 50 Years of Chinua Achebe's
masterpiece 'THINGS FALL APART' by holding the 2008
'USAfrica international Harvest of Achebe', in Houston, Texas
on August 8 and 9, 2008 with special events including critical
insights, harvest of ideas, international reviews of the epic
work, theatrical and cultural performances in honor of the
father of modern African literature Achebe and presenting to
him. The 'USAfrica BEST OF AFRICA' 1st Lifetime Award .
The Houston-based USAfrica (characterized by The New York
Times as the largest and most influential African-owned, U.S-
based multimedia networks) was celebrating the 15th
Anniversary of its pioneering multimedia leadership of the bi-
continental interests of Africans and Americans. The convener
and chief host was Chido Nwangwu, the Founder & Publisher
of USAfrica, USAfricaonline.com, AchebeBooks.com,
Azikiwe.org, AchebeThingsFallApart.com, CLASSmagazine,
The Black Business Journal, BBJonline.com,, etc
In the United States, a world class literary gala tribute hosted
by a U.S book publisher, Anchor Books Bard College and PEN
American Centre was held at the historic New York City Town
Hall to mark the book's anniversary. A 50th anniversary
edition of the book has also been published by Achor Books in
recognition of "one of the first African novels written in English
to receive global critical acclaim". The publishers are also
celebrating through the novel, the most illuminating and
permanent moment in the pantheon of modern African
experience as seen from within.Toni Morrison and Hia Jin
were amongst the celebrities there.
Africans in the Diaspora have a number of events planned as
well. Obiwu Iwuanyanwu, of the Writing Centre, Central State
University Wilberforce, Ohio, USA, is organizing a major
critical appraisal of Achebe's ground breaking novel.
Iwuanyanwu reports: "To mark the half a century milestone of
the literary path-breaker in 2008, scholars, researchers,
teachers, students, professionals, and general readers are
invited to submit articles for a multiple volume critical
anthology on Things Fall Apart. Contributors are encouraged
to be innovative and adventurous in their exploration, with the
singular aim of eliciting the novel's uniqueness, impact,
influence, and continuity.Among others, submissions may
consider Things Fall Apart in relation : Discourse and theory,
Diaspora and alienation, race and globalization, gender and
sexuality, and minority, Environment and the animal,
Language and linguistics, Influences and historicism, Art and
visual culture, Culture and hospitality, Communication and
Comparison, Space and Science.amongst others."
Editors of will include Victor O. Aire, , University of Jos, ; S. O.
O. Amali, Vice Chancellor/President, University of Ilorin, ; Glen
P. Bush, , Heartland Community College, Normal, IL, US;
Augustine-Ufua Enahoro, , Univ. of Jos, ; Okey Ndibe, Trinity
College, Hartford, CT, US Obiwu, Writing Center, Central State
University, Wilberforce, OH, US; Olu Oguibe, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, CT, US; Kanchana Ugbabe, , University of
Jos.
The entire package is a literary harvest celebrating Achebe's
creativity and imagination but serving as a springboard for the
inspiration of the young to aspire to be like Achebe.
Born and schooled in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Arthur Smith
has taught English for over thirty years at various Educational
Institutions. He is now a Senior Lecturer of English at Fourah
Bay College where he has been lecturing for the past eight
years.
Mr Smith's writings have been in various media. He
participated in a seminar on contemporary American
Literature in the U.S. in 2006. His growing thoughts and
reflections on this trip which took him to various US sights
and sounds could be read at http://www.lisnews.org
His other publications include: Folktales from Freetown,
Langston Hughes: Life and Works Celebrating Black Dignity,
and 'The Struggle of the Book'
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Submitted On August 21, 2008