Harvard celebrates Achebe, Things Fall Apart
From Ronke Olawale (Boston) and Laolu Akande (New York)

THE event was first announced in October. Elder statesman, renowned Nigerian author and social critic, Prof. Chinua Achebe, would deliver the 2008 Harvard African Studies Lecture titled, "From the cradle of childhood."





Dressed in a grey turtle-necked traditional Igbo attire and a red cap, Achebe's sudden appearance silenced the chattering audience in the packed lecture auditorium in CGIS yesterday evening. They had been seated since 3.35 p.m. for an event that began at 4.00 p.m. The audience, a majority of whom had never met Achebe, was no doubt charmed by this enigma.

From the moment he entered the room in company of his wife and professor of Psychology, Mrs. Achebe, his son, Dr. Chidi and daughter-in-law, Dr. Mimi Achebe, the audience fell silent in awe of a man whom many deemed as the face of African literature for the past half-century. And this was the atmosphere as the event progressed.

To the surprise of all, Achebe without regrets told the audience that he had not come to deliver a lecture, "but to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of African literature and I will do this through poetry rather than prose."

The poems were his reflections on politics, the socio-economic situation in Nigeria and, of course, Africa. From the disillusionment of a mother in a refugee camp 'Christmas in Biafra,' and vultures picking at carcasses to a dirge for his late friend, Christopher Okigbo, Achebe's poetry also gave 'kudos to those who do nothing and say nothing.'

His voice ascended and descended in volume as he read slowly but meticulously through nine of his poems, which explore African culture and history, with particular attention to his Igbo tradition.

The first poem, "The Explorer" he said, was one he loves so much but curiously, neither had listed as part of any readings nor did he know why it was ever written. While commenting on the poem, a colleague of his had considered it a 'reflection on his accident experience,' but Achebe said he actually wrote it before the incident.

He also read his Commonwealth Poetry Prize winning work, 'Beware, Soul brother,' which he said, the Queen of England, once asked for permission to use its last six lines in a speech.

In a lighter mood, Achebe drew laughter from the audience as he noted: "Don't ask me if I agreed, of course I did and you can see why I always read it."

The Achebe event, titled "From the Kingdom of Childhood," was the sixth yearly lecture of the Committee on African Studies, arranged in conjunction with the W.E.B. DuBois Institute and the Department for African and African-American Studies.

Achebe did not shy away from answering questions on the political situation in his home country as he was asked why he quit politics. "I was invited by a man I admired most among Nigerian politicians, the late Aminu Kano, to join his political party, the defunct People's Redemption Party (PRP). I thought this to be a huge joke but I agreed to be Vice President. I thought it was the most serious party but unfortunately, Aminu Kano died after the transaction and the ambulence of Nigerian politics became clear to me; , I therefore, quietly withdrew," he explained.

Hauwa Ibrahim's questions drew fresh thoughts on Nigeria's nationhood when she asked if Things Fall Apart had been translated into Hausa language. She said: "I have two sons and I have tried to translate the book into Hausa for them but I couldn't,' and she also wanted to know what was way forward for the nation.

To the first question, Achebe said he was not aware of any such translations but that this dream would be fulfilled "if you succeed in getting the Igbo and the Hausa into conversation, "

And regarding the solution to the Nigerian problem, he simply said: "If anyone is able to give me an answer to this one question, I would be the happiest person on earth. We are in this together, and I can feel the sentiment in your voice, just as many other patriotic Nigerians, Why can't we get our act together?"

And so, as the grand finale of the world-wide celebrations of Things Fall Apart was marked at Harvard, Prof. Achebe and his famous book were again the centre of attraction as they had been earlier this week at the leading U.S. university, where scholars; both Nigerians and Americans, diplomats, students, journalists, readers of the book, friends and family of the author marked the 50 years anniversary of its publication.

For the better part of this year, the book has been enjoying world-wide attention and Harvard's reception on Monday evening seemed like a glorious wrap for the year-long celebrations.

Harvard, Achebe said, was for him "a special place, a great institution, the greatest institution in the world, at least one of the top two or three - I dare say, my friends at Cambridge and Oxford, may frown at this statement , I am not an expert in these matters - but that is the university's reputation."

He recalled his long connection to the top U.S. ivy school thus: "I have been invited to Harvard to lecture, talk or visit about six times in my career, I have even received an honorary doctorate from this great institution. Each time, I have come to your campus, I have been the benefactor of your famous hospitality, felt a special kinship with your scholars and students, and left deeply gratified."

Among the audience at the Harvard Club reception held at the Tsai Auditorium for Achebe were also U.S.-based Nigerian intellectuals, some of whom he described as "my old friends." Some of them are Harvard professors.

He thanked and mentioned some of them by name, including Professors Abiola Irele and Jacob Olupona, Biodun Jeyifo and African-American Professor Henry Louis Gates Jnr., all Harvard teachers.

Before the Monday night reception, Prof. Achebe, his wife Christie, who is herself a professor of Psychology at Bard College, and son, Chidi and daughter-in-law, Mimi, had a private meeting with the Harvard University President Drew Faust. In the U.S., Vice Chancellors are called Presidents.

In all, Achebe's visit to Harvard took the better part of two days and he also spent time at Harvard to grant interviews to the school newspaper, Crimson, and interact with graduate students from the famous Kennedy School of Government.

Other dignitaries who attended some of the events in honour of Achebe in Harvard included the Harvard University Provost, Dr. Steven E. Hyman, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington and his wife; professors, friends, and students from W.E.B. DuBois Institute and the Department for African and African-American Studies.

In its publication on Achebe's visit , Crimson reported that "from the moment that he entered the room (where he read poem), the audience fell silent in deference to a man whom many deem the face of African literature for the past half-century."

Olupona, professor of African-American Studies and chair of the Committee on African-American Studies at Harvard, said he appreciated that Achebe had used his status as a literary hero to advocate for social change in Nigeria.

"He's proud to be a Nigerian, but that doesn't stop him from critiquing (the country)," Olupona said. "He's become a voice for many of us."

Also, according to Chidi, Achebe's son, who accompanied him to Harvard and himself the President and Chief Executive Officer of a local Boston Health Centre, the reception at Harvard was in a class of its own compared to many of the world-wide celebrations of Achebe and his book all through this year.

In an interview with The Guardian yesterday, Dr. Chidi Achebe: "The visit was very special. Our own Harvard-based professors, Professors Abiola Irele, Jacob Olupona, Biodun Jeyifo and Chukwuma Azuonye were fantastic hosts. Meeting Dr. Faust, Harvard University President, was a particular treat. "

Chidi, who has been with his father at several of the celebrations this year added: "I am deeply grateful to God for this year's world-wide celebrations of Things Fall Apart, and for being able to witness many of the events around the world. I continue to be 'awe struck by the gift and power of the written word."

The Achebe-Things for Apart celebrations started in Lisbon, Portugal, then later moved to New York, then on to Princeton University where it was this year's assigned book of the series Princeton reads; then it was off to Washington DC., North Carolina; and then Philadelphia, as well as Buffalo State University and Bard College both in New York State. There was also a conference in Texas hosted by Chido Nwangwu of USAFRICA.

Back home, the Association of Nigerian Authors also threw what Chidi called "a hell of an intellectual party in five states and seven cities." There were additional conferences in Nigeria, including at Obafemi Awolowo University and Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Another is being planned for Enugu.

The celebrations have also spread to Bangladesh - Dhaka University; four universities in India; the university of Toronto, Canada; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, multi-city events in South Africa, Gambia, Cameroun; and in October, one of the year's biggest intellectual splashes - the Things Fall Apart conference at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies, hosted by Prof. Lyn Innes.

According to Achebe's son, the major highlight of the year was the recent celebration at America's Library of Congress, where the Things Fall Apart party attracted African intellectuals of note like Dr. Ali Mazrui, Ama Ata Aidoo, Simon Gikandi - and members of the Washington DC. African-American intellectual establishment led by Eleanor Taylor and others from Howard University.

An overwhelmed Chidi said: "I vividly remember looking on recently in London as Prof. Achebe was feted at Britain's House of Lords and as a special guest of the Booker Foundation, and thinking to myself "only God can provide such a gift to a man from a small village in Africa that has touched so many in so many parts of the world!"

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/nov/20/16.html

Cool.

US showcases Soyinka's work against tyranny
From Laolu Akande New York

THE US government is now intensifying its international pro-democratic clamour and campaign by shining the light on literacy giants whose works the government says can be used against tyranny and corruption anywhere.




On that score the government has included the name of Nigeria's Nobel Laureate in Literature, Professor Wole Soyinka, among a shortlist of dissident writers whose works had in the past made the impact for democracy.

This is coming amidst new Us-Russian Tensions and fears that the democratic gains around the world is being reversed.

The inclusion of Soyinka's name is believed to be significant since the statement only focussed on few countries where it has deep concerns about the fate of recent democratic gains.

In very recent times in Nigeria, sections of the media have been coming under what is believed to be a creeping oppressive attitude from the federal government's security agencies.

While a bigger focus is on Russia and Eastern Europe, the inclusion of Soyinka's name is a signal to Nigeria and African leaders that the US will not look away if the gains of democracy in Africa is being sidestepped.

In all, the US government listed Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) of Russia, Czech writer/playwright/politician Vaclav Havel and Russian poet and civil rights activist, Natalya Gorbanevskaya.

Others are novelist, essayist and poet, Julia Alvarez, a native of the Dominican Republic, Czeslaw Milosz (1911-2004) of Poland, Russian poet, Joseph Brodsky, author Ninotchka Rosca a Filipino and Wole Soyinka of Nigeria.

According to the statement: "These writers, and countless others, have demonstrated that literary art can be a potent weapon against tyranny, corruption and injustice. By shining a spotlight on the world's ills - and the regimes that perpetuate them - writers of conscience are doing their part to address urgent problems and hold authorities accountable."

The US government described Soyinka as the "most distinguished playwright" from Africa in a statement released over the weekend by the State Department titled, "Dissident Writers Fight for Justice by Speaking Truth to Power."

Although the statement was not directed at any specific country or dictator, it mentioned a shortlist of literary giants across the world, whose works could be used as "weapons against tyranny and corruption."

Coming from the State Department, the statement, featured on its America.gov website, is one of the many activities of the US government to anchor its foreign policy on democratic values, the advancement of liberty and the denunciation of tyranny wherever it may exists around the globe.

According to the statement, "Nigeria's Wole Soyinka, a writer, poet and playwright, has been an outspoken critic of many Nigerian administrations and of political tyrannies worldwide. Much of his writing has focused on what he calls "the oppressive boot and the irrelevance of the colour of the foot that wears it."

The statement continues: "Soyinka's activism came at great personal cost. He was arrested in 1967, during the Nigerian Civil War, and placed in solitary confinement for his attempts at brokering a peace between the warring factions. Released 22 months later, after international attention was drawn to his imprisonment, he left Nigeria in voluntary exile."

The statement from the State Department noted that Africa's most distinguished playwright, Soyinka, "received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986, the first sub-Saharan African to be so honored."

It added: "As many dictators can attest, literary artists are among the fiercest critics of human rights abuses worldwide."

Other mentions of literary writers, according to the release, are stated as follows:

In the 1960s, the works of dissident novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) of Russia exposed the Soviet labor-camp system. Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1970, but his fame did not protect him from persecution, and he was forced into exile in 1974. He eventually settled in the United States, living as a virtual recluse before finally returning to Russia in 1994.

Solzhenitsyn's fight against authoritarian rule mirrors similar battles joined by many authors, including Czech writer/playwright/politician Vaclav Havel.

As a prominent dissenter against Soviet control of his homeland, Havel used the theater as a platform to attack totalitarian regimes. Although his political activism earned him several prison stays and near-constant harassment, Havel triumphed during the 1989 "Velvet Revolution" that propelled him into the presidency of Czechoslovakia (later the Czech Republic).

As president, Havel led his country's transition to multiparty democracy, and he remains a deeply admired figure internationally. Havel's views have been compared to those of Britain's George Orwell (1903-1950), whose celebrated novels Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four paint a chilling picture of government repression, a theme echoed by dissident artists around the globe.

Russian poet and civil rights activist Natalya Gorbanevskaya was one of eight protesters to demonstrate in Moscow's Red Square on August 25, 1968, against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Having recently given birth, she was not tried in court with the other demonstrators, but she wrote an account of the trial (titled Noon) that was published abroad as Red Square at Noon.

Gorbanevskaya was arrested in December 1969 and imprisoned in a Soviet psychiatric facility until February 1972. She emigrated in December 1975 and now lives in Paris.

Novelist, essayist and poet Julia Alvarez, a native of the Dominican Republic whose family fled to the United States when she was 10, won acclaim with her 1995 novel In the Time of the Butterflies, inspired by the true story of three sisters who were murdered by agents of the Rafael Trujillo dictatorship that once ruled the author's homeland.

Czeslaw Milosz (1911-2004), regarded as one of Poland's greatest poets and prose writers, fought censorship by his nation's Communist government during the Cold War years of the 1950s and 1960s.

His 1953 book The Captive Mind, which explains how Stalinist regimes pressured writers and scholars to conform in postwar Eastern Europe, has been described as one of the finest studies of the behavior of intellectuals under a repressive system.

Milosz, who emigrated to the United States in 1960 and became a U.S. citizen in 1970, was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1980.

The career of Russian poet Joseph Brodsky (1940-1996) followed a similar trajectory. Brodsky, an essayist as well as a poet, was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1972, essentially for refusing to subordinate his writings to the ideological needs of the Communist Party. He moved to the United States and became a citizen in 1977, winning the Nobel Prize for literature in 1987. In 1991, Brodsky became poet laureate of the United States.

One of the most impassioned voices on the literary scene belongs to Filipino author Ninotchka Rosca. Now a resident of New York, Rosca had been a political prisoner in the Philippines under the dictatorial regime of the late Ferdinard Marcos.

Rosca - whose short stories, novels and nonfiction works have won her the nickname "the First Lady of Philippines Literature" - is particularly concerned with women's oppression and gender exploitation. She often speaks on such issues as sex tourism, trafficking, the mail-order bride industry and violence against women.

Of recent, the new US-Russia tensions, it is believed may be bringing back intensified American democratic values campaign abroad with a focus on eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa.

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/nov/23/9.html