The Benue Book & Arts Festival (BBAAF) is set to make its exciting debut in Nottingham on Saturday, 25th January 2025. Organised by the SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative and SEVHAGE Publishers, the event will take place at the Central Library in Nottingham from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. It promises to be a day filled with thought-provoking discussions, performances, and networking opportunities. This inaugural edition represents a significant milestone in SEVHAGE’s mission to create a platform for cultural exchange, celebrating literature, art, and the transformative power of storytelling.
BBAAF has become one of Nigeria’s premier cultural festivals, celebrated for its ability to unite creatives, thinkers, and cultural advocates. With the theme “Home and A-Way”, the Nottingham edition will explore concepts of identity, belonging, and the fluidity of culture in an interconnected world. The event will feature panel discussions, spoken word performances, readings, and open conversations designed to spark dialogue and foster creative collaborations.
Nottingham serves as the ideal location for this UK debut. While the event is not in collaboration with the Nottingham City of Literature, their support has been instrumental in bringing the festival to life. Additionally, the festival boasts a roster of key partners, including the Goethe Institut in Lagos, Nottingham City Library, Konya Shamsrumi, Small Business Big World, Custodian of African Literature (COAL), and the Journal of African Youth Literature (JAY Lit). We at JAY Lit, in particular, bring our expertise as a platform dedicated to amplifying African literary voices, further enriching the festival’s mission.
The event will showcase an impressive lineup of guests, including Bash Amuneni, a renowned Nigerian poet and spoken word artist; slam champion Abiodun Abdul; award-winning authors Ibrahim Babatunde Ibrahim, Jerry Chimeke, Taiwo Michael, and Amaka Felly Obioji; and cultural figures like Sodiq Alabi, Namse Udosen, Chimdinma Onwukwe Adimekwe, and MaryAnn Ifeanacho, among others. Su’ur Su’eddie Vershima Agema, a multiple award-winning writer, culture curator, and former Black History Month Curator at the University of Sussex has carefully curated the festival to bridge the gaps between African and global cultural movements.
The event will run from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, featuring a theatre-style setup and a screen to showcase artists’ works. Free and open to the public, the festival reflects SEVHAGE’s commitment to making cultural spaces accessible to all.
Following its Nottingham debut, the Benue Book & Arts Festival will return to Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, in February 2025, continuing its tradition of celebrating African creativity at home while expanding its global reach. Future editions are planned for other international cities, with the goal of making a lasting impact on the global literary and cultural landscape.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact the team at sevhagers@bbaaf.com or reach Oko Owoicho via WhatsApp at +2347030285995. You can also visit the festival’s website at http://bbaaf.com.
About SEVHAGE and BBAAF
The Benue Book & Arts Festival (BBAAF) is an international literary and cultural event founded by SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative and SEVHAGE Publishers. BBAAF celebrates the arts through performances, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions, bringing together established and emerging voices to promote cultural exchange and community engagement.
