Kofi Awoonor & the Challenge of History

Date: 
Thursday, September 18, 2014 - 13:30 to Friday, September 19, 2014 - 13:30
Venue: 
UG main campus

KOFI AWOONOR & THE CHALLENGE OF HISTORY

An International Symposium

[September 18 – 19, 2014]

CALL FOR PAPERS/PROPOSALS

21st September 2014 marks the 1st Anniversary of the death in a Nairobi al-Shabab terrorist attack, of Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor, distinguished scholar, poet, novelist, essayist, dramatist, diplomat, statesman and African cultural icon. Activities being planned for the occasion include the following: an international symposium; a formal launch of his posthumous collection The Promise of Hope: New and Selected Poems; a vigil and official unveiling and dedication of the Awoonor Mausoleum in his hometown Wheta; official launch of the Kofi Awoonor Literary prize; an evening of poetry reading/performance; performance of traditional songs/drums.

Abstracts and Panel Proposals are invited from interested scholars for a two-day Symposium dedicated to Kofi Awoonor’s Life and Work.

The focus will be on his contributions to African literary, cultural and intellectual history. However, selected presentations on Awoonor as a Diplomat, Statesman and Political & Cultural Activist are also encouraged, especially from those who knew or worked with him closely.

Also, presentations need not necessarily be on Awoonor, but the period and contexts of his life and work Sessions will be devoted to one or two Keynote presentations, followed by a number of plenary panels and roundtables.

Interested potential presenters/participants may send their Abstracts/Proposals to the:

Awoonor Symposium Committee

Department of English

University of Ghana, Legon

Email: awoonorconference@gmail.com Deadline: August 30, 2014
          gladysansah@gmail.com

The anniversary programme begins with the International Symposium at the University of Ghana, Legon (September 18 - 19), followed by the Book Launch and Literary Night in Accra (Friday 19th), and culminates in the Vigil (Saturday 20th) and the Official Unveiling & Dedication of the Awoonor Mausoleum (Sunday 21st).

This announcement supersedes the one sent earlier. Any inconvenience is deeply regretted. Please re-forward your abstracts to the e-mail addresses above.