Writing in Migration

There are many who regard Berlin as Germany’s capital of diversity. Countless cultural events are proof of the internationality of the city’s art scene. African writers play a central role in this, though they are only seldom acknowledged for their achievements. The literature festival “Writing in Migration” wanted to change this. Staged for the first time in April 2018 at the Babylon in Berlin, the three-day event provided visitors with a view of everyday African life through the eyes of immigrant writers. The programme focused on the central themes of transculturality and transnationality. The festival organisers have encouraged visitors to explore current issues of African life on the continent and in the diaspora. The festival, which took a strong stand against racism, has been curated by the German-Nigerian artist Olumide Popoola and aimed to engage audiences in dialogue even outside of Berlin. Following its debut, the festival went on tour to five cities in Brandenburg. An accompanying publication makes selected literature accessible to readers beyond the scope of the festival.

Artistic director: Olumide Popoola (UK/NG/DE)
Festival directors: Stefanie Hirsbrunner & Karla Kutzner (InterKontinental)

Participating writers: Chris Abani (US/NG), Abdilatif Abdalla (KE), Ayòbámi Adébáyò (NG), Leye Adenle (NG/UK), Lesley Nneka Arimah (UK/NG), Bibi Bakare-Yusuf (NG), A. Igoni Barrett (NG), Maroula Blades (DE/UK), JJ Bola (DRC/UK), Clementine Ewokolo Burnley (UG/DE), Brian Chikwava (ZW/UK), Jude Dibia (NG/SE), Bernardine Evaristo (UK), Anita Djafari (DE), Linda Gabriel (ZW), Michael Götting (DE), Helon Habila (US/NG), Jessica Horn (GH), Elnathan John (NG/DE), Sharmaine Lovegrove (UK), Nick Makoha (UG/UK), Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (UG), Sarah Ladipo Manyika (UK/NG), Niq Mhlongo (ZA), Arlette-Louise Ndakoze (DE), Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ (KE), Irenosen Okojie (NG/UK), Chinelo Okparanta (NG/US), Musa Okwonga (UK/UG), Yewande Omotoso (ZA), Romeo Oriogun (NG), Yvonne Owuor (KE), Jörg Petzold (DE), Henrietta Rose-Innes (ZA), Minna Salami (NG/FI/SE), Chika Unigwe (US/NG), Zukiswa Wanner (ZA).