2024 Lagos Poetry Festival to explore The Science of Things

The Lagos Poetry Festival (LIPFest) 2024, a tribute to curiosity and discovery, will hold from October 24 to 27, 2024 at the Alliance Française Lagos | Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos.

LIPFest 2024 is a preoccupation with what the poet Derek Walcott calls ‘the astonishment of the soul’. “It is a reassertion of our individual and collective freedom to pursue knowledge without the corrupting influence of politics, religion, or capital. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to a world where poetry and science are reinvigorated to point us toward a future defined by our courage to explore, question, and understand,” the organisers said in a statement.

The festival is a reassertion of individual and collective freedom to pursue knowledge without the corrupting influence of politics, religion, or capital. It is a reaffirmation of commitment to a world where poetry and science are reinvigorated to point towards a future defined by courage to explore, question, and understand.

“This implies a vociferous defence of plurality – of voices and opportunities – and a thoughtful consideration of the impact a sustained underinvestment in education and knowledge production has had on of millions of people across the world, particularly, in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 60 per cent of young people are out of school,” the organisers said.

Conceived in 2015, this special 10th anniversary edition is a four-day of carefully curated panels, readings, performances, workshops, and exhibitions, our lineup of poets, scientists, writers, thinkers, and artists. It will embody commitment to breaking down barriers — not just between fields of study, but between cultures and people.

Already, an open call for participation has been made for participants to join as guest poet, writer, artist, thinker, activist or raconteur or sign up to host an event or volunteer during the festival. Deadline is September 9.