Authors, artists converge on Uyo as Boldoz Book and Arts Festival celebrates literature, culture

Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, recently transformed into a vibrant hub for creatives during the third edition of the Boldoz Book and Arts Festival. Held on June 19 and 20, the two-day event gathered storytellers, poets, filmmakers, musicians, and book enthusiasts, placing conversations on literature, culture, and creative expression at the forefront. The festival's theme, “Sio Uyo: Speak Out,” served as a powerful call to action, urging writers, artists, and other creatives to express themselves boldly through their respective disciplines.

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Sio Uyo: Speak Out is a call to be loud and expressive through individual creative expressions.

Organized by Enobong Etuk, founder of Boldoz Bookstores, the festival featured a diverse lineup of authors, including Nkereuwem Albert, Oreva Ode-Irri, Tomilola Coco Adeyemo, Rosemary Okafor, Emediong Edem, Nestor Udoh, Aidi Basi, and Utibe Hanson. Beyond literary discussions, panel sessions delved into a wide array of topics. These included the intersection of Creative Arts and Sustainability, the role of Prompts and Chatbots in contemporary creation, Cuisine as a form of storytelling, Photography and Cultural Representation, Ibibio Representation in Cinema, and Indigenous Expressions: Bringing Home to the World. The event also included book chats, a writing workshop, poetry performances, music, games, live interviews, and a thought-provoking debate on "Why Do Men Dislike Fiction?"

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a call for creatives to speak up and show up without doubt, fear or compromise

This year's festival placed a significant emphasis on promoting Ibibio cultural identity, with organizers describing it as a call for creatives to "speak up and show up without doubt, fear or compromise." The initiative aimed to foster a rising generation of artists who are not only exceptional in their craft but also deeply rooted in their identities. Discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, local cuisine, and cultural representation were highlighted as key elements that broadened conversations on creativity, offering participants fresh perspectives on artistic expression. The festival also celebrated Uyo's growing reputation as a literary center, building on the efforts of initiatives like the Uyo Book Club, which has been instrumental in promoting reading culture and intellectual discourse in the city over the past six years.

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a rising generation of artistes who are not just exceptional, but grounded in their identities.