Soyinka’s Literary Legacy Takes Centre Stage At 2026 Lagos Book Festival
Kehinde Adeleye
An exhibition, documentary film and illustrated comic book will feature among activities planned to commemorate 40 years since Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka made history by winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.
The programme, themed Ake to Stockholm, will form part of the eighth edition of Timeless Memories: Elastic Effects of Wole Soyinka, curated by archivist and cultural curator Oludamola Adebowale in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Art and the 27th Lagos Book and Art Festival.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, Adebowale said the project would explore the experiences, influences and struggles that shaped Soyinka’s journey to international recognition.
Soyinka became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, a milestone that brought global attention to his literary works and intellectual contributions.
“For eight years, I have had the privilege of conceptualising, curating and producing Timeless Memories as a sustained engagement with the life, works and ideas of one of Africa’s most influential literary figures,” Adebowale said.
The flagship exhibition will run from November 16 to 29, 2026, at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos. It will feature archival photographs, historical documents and other visual materials documenting Soyinka’s literary journey.
Adebowale said the initiative was designed to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage while making it more accessible to younger generations.
“We believe that preserving history must go hand in hand with making it accessible,” he said.
He explained that the documentary and illustrated comic book would introduce young people to Soyinka’s contributions as a writer, dramatist and public intellectual whose works explore freedom, justice, power and human dignity.
The programme will also feature an international panel discussion titled From Nobel to Posterity: Archiving Wole Soyinka’s Literary Legacy. Hosted by the Section on Literary Archives of the International Council on Archives, the discussion will examine strategies for preserving Soyinka’s literary legacy and improving public access to his works.
Another highlight is The Rebel Series (WS in 1986), a contemporary art exhibition featuring Adewale John at Adegbola Gallery and curated by Adebowale.
He said the anniversary was an opportunity to look beyond Soyinka’s Nobel Prize and reflect on the experiences and struggles that preceded the achievement.
“Our responsibility is not only to celebrate the destination, but also to preserve and tell the story of the journey,” he said.
Launched in 2019, Timeless Memories: Elastic Effects of Wole Soyinka explores the literary icon’s life, works and intellectual legacy through archival research, exhibitions and other creative projects.
The 2026 programme is expected to bring together literature, visual art, film and historical documentation to deepen public engagement with Soyinka’s contribution to African and global literature.
