Yari Yari Ntoaso begins today!

I have included the schedule of today’s events below.  There are two workshops in the morning, a panel and the opening plenary in the afternoon.  The translator, writer and human rights campaigner Wangui wa Goro will run a translation workshop.  She’s also a Caine Prize Council Member.  She translated Veronique Tadjo’s As the Crow Flies  from the French to English and has a short story in African Love Stories (links are to my reviews).

There are two performance art workshops led by Gabrielle Civil and Wura-Natasha Ogunji.  Gabrielle Civil (http://www.gabriellecivil.com/) is a poet and a conceptual and performance artist who has produced numerous performance art works in the United States.  Wura-Natasha Ogunji is a visual and performance artist who uses her body to explore movement.  Her work, among other themes, explores the presence of women in public spaces.  See writeup of Ogunji here.

I’m highlighting these workshops because learning opporutnities on translation and performance art are rare in Ghana.  Do come early if you are interested for space is limited.

A panel on identity and creativity will be followed by the Opening Plenary, where the writer, activist, scholar, socialist and feminist Angela Davis will speak. We are all very excited about Angela Davis in Ghana!

This is just what’s on offer on the first day of Yari Yari Ntoaso.  Admission to all events is free.  Do drop by.

The hashtag is #YariYari.  The afternoon panel and Opening Plenary will be livestreamed and I will update with the address soon.

Here is the schedule for today’s events:

Yari Yari NTOASO: Continuing the Dialogue

Schedule of Panels, Workshops, Readings, Performances & Film

Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held at

College of Physicians and Surgeons

No. 54 Independence Avenue, Near Ridge Roundabout

Thursday, 16 MAY 2013

 10:00am-4:30:  Registration

 10:00am-4:30pm:  Book Tables & Vendors

 10:30-11:00:  Welcome & Orientation

Welcome from representatives of the conference sponsors and collaborating organizations

 11:00-1:00pm:  Master Translation Class This class is first-come, first-served; please arrive a few minutes early.  Led by Wangui wa Goro (Kenya)

 1:00-3:00pm:  Performance Art Workshops Workshops are first-come, first-served; please arrive a few minutes early.   Led by Gabrielle Civil (USA/Haiti) and Wura-Natasha Ogunji (Nigeria/USA)

3:15-4:30pm – Identity & Creativity

How authors’ and characters’ identities affect the creative process.

Gladys Francis (Guadeloupe); Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro (Puerto Rico); Mamle Kabu (Ghana); Cheryl Sterling (USA); Helen Yitah (Ghana)

4:45-6:15pm – Opening Plenary

Greetings & remarks from representatives of The Republic of Ghana,  Conference Organizers and Writers’ organizations

Plenary Speakers include: Hon. Nana Oye Lithur (Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection/Ghana),  Angela Davis (USA), Ama Ata Aidoo (Ghana), Atukwei Okai (Ghana), Kwasi Gyan Appenteng (Ghana) and Martin Egblewogbe (Ghana)

6:30-8:00pm – Opening Reception Sponsored by NYU Accra

 8:00-9:00pm – Open Mike