Think Ake Festival is all about books? Think again! Day 1 wasn’t just about books—it was also a deep exploration into thought-provoking and educating conversations. Let’s talk about the panel discussions that kicked off the festival.
Panel Recap 1: Demystifying Cancer
First up, a session that peeled back the layers of stigma and misconceptions around cancer. Moderated by the ever-brilliant Ruona Meyer, this panel brought together Gloria Okwu, a breast cancer survivor, and Olaokun Soyinka, standing in for his father, Wole Soyinka.
Gloria shared how she turned her personal journey into a beacon of hope for others. She noticed a gap where people hesitated to talk about their experiences or offer support, so she took to Facebook, chronicling her battle with cancer. The response? Overwhelming. Her storytelling inspired others to share their own struggles.
On the other hand, Olaokun shed light on his father’s philosophy of refusing to be a victim. Cancer, he explained, doesn’t have to define or diminish you.
Panel Recap 2: Let the Music Move You
Who says book festivals can’t groove? This session, moderated by award-winning poet Dami Ajayi, turned the spotlight on the music industry. With panelists like the soulful Falana, cultural commentator Joey Akan, and writer Nels Abbey, the conversation was a dynamic and insightful one.
Falana spoke passionately about the unique challenges faced by female artists, highlighting how society often judges women on their appearance. “You have to look like an artist,” she quipped, calling out the unrealistic expectations placed on women in music.
Joey Akan and Nels Abbey pointed out how the industry’s capitalist framework prioritizes profit over authenticity. This often forces artists to compromise their creative vision in favor of what sells.
Towards the end, Falana delivered a mic-drop moment during the Q&A: “We might not beat the system, but we can exist and take up space.”
Leaving you, for now, to ruminate on that —there’s plenty more to come!
