A look at some of the year's Art and Literary events in Nigeria in 2014

The Nigerian literary community is evolving. Gone are the days when Africans expressed storytelling and poetry through narrative epics and praise poems to only traditional rulers and prominent citizens in the society.

African writers are now showcasing their literary skills by telling the story of Africa's liberation, independence and love. African journalists and writers, are now connected to limitless information and stories across Africa and beyond through social media just like their international counterparts.

In other to make the Nigerian literary society more credible to its audience, literary experts, authors and organisations have initiated, book fairs, workshops and awards to celebrate and promote the brilliant literary minds making the continent proud.

Below is a look at some milestones of literary and art events in Nigeria in 2014.

1. In April, the much anticipated Nigerian premiere of the film version of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, took place in Lagos Nigeria. It also premiered in the UK and US.
2. The Nigeria International Book Fair held in May 2014 and was staged at the University of Lagos to showcase books by local and international authors.
3. Akin Bello won the 2014 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, organized by the Lumina Foundation and sponsored by Globacom.
4. In October Anambra State University, Igbiriam, helds its first literary conference, The Literari Philosophia, in conjunction with the Eastern Nigeria Writers’ Forum. The conference was intended to negotiate the divides between Literature, Philosopphy and multidiscipliniarity.
5. Also in October, NLNG awarded two winners the Nigeria Prize for Literature.
6. Abuja International Film and Video Festival also held in October 2014. The event showcased the very best of cinema in Nigeria, locally known as 'Nollywood'
7. The Caine Prize One Day Short Story Surgery in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was held  for 14 writers, on 20th October 2014 and was devised with the Port Harcourt Book Festival as part of the celebration of their 2014 UNESCO World Book Capital status.
8. The 4th 2014 MBA literary Colloquium held in Minna, Niger State, in November. It drew participants from different parts of Nigeria, with a keynote presented by Professor Pius Adesanmi.
9. Lagos Photo - Held in October / November, an annual photography event to showcase the work of top local and international artists.
10. Muson Festival - a popular arts fest held at the Muson Centre in Lagos. The programme of events includes a choral concert and jazz evening held in November. 
11. Lagos Art and Book Festival was held from the 14th - 16th of November and was dedicated to Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka on his attainment of the age of 80.
12. One of Africa's largest literary events, the Ake Arts and Book Festival, held from 18th-22nd November in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
13. 2014 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Convention held in Ibadan from Thursday, December 11–Sunday December 14.The annual convention featured a potpourri of literary events.
14. Saro the Musical 2 organised by Terra Kulture and held at the Muson centre from 23rd to 28th December, 2014.

So, there you have it. For your literary news and event updates check out this blog regularly. Wishing you all a prosperous 2015!!