…Festival to Celebrate Chinua Achebe’s Legacy Through Literature, Culture, and Technology

Celebrated Nigerian author and feminist icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is set to headline the inaugural edition of the Things Fall Apart Festival in Enugu from June 29 to July 5, 2025.

The event, themed “Masculine, Feminine, Human: The Dialogue of Complements in Things Fall Apart,” is organized by the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo and seeks to honor the literary legacy of Chinua Achebe, whose seminal work, Things Fall Apart, remains a cornerstone of African literature.

Adichie, who has been on an international tour promoting her latest novel, Dream Count, will deliver the keynote address at the festival, exploring the festival’s theme which critically examines the interplay of gender, culture, and humanity in Achebe’s writing. The event also marks her return to Nigeria after a series of global engagements, highlighting her commitment to celebrating Achebe’s legacy—a writer she describes as one of her greatest literary influences.

However, the Things Fall Apart Festival is an expansion of the annual Things Fall Apart Day, which has been celebrated for five years. Organizers aim to transform the one-day event into a week-long festival that more accurately reflects Achebe’s impact on global literature.

According to the Centre for Memories, the festival is designed as a cultural immersion, bringing Achebe’s Umuofia Village to life through various artistic and technological expressions. Attendees can expect:

Umuofia Village Experience: A recreation of the fictional Igbo community central to Things Fall Apart, offering a glimpse into pre-colonial life.

Dramatic Performances and Staged Readings: Featuring excerpts from Things Fall Apart and Achebe’s other works, brought to life by theatre artists and cultural performers.

Art Exhibitions and Tech Installations: Showcasing Igbo artistry and Achebe’s influence through digital media and interactive displays.

Saloon Conversations with Thought Leaders: Panel discussions with scholars and cultural custodians on gender, tradition, and identity in Achebe’s works.

Film Screenings and Guided Memory Walks: Exploring Achebe’s impact on literature and Nigerian history.

Essay Competitions: Targeted at students from senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions, encouraging critical thought and creative expression inspired by Achebe’s legacy.

A highlight of the festival will be the special appearance of actors from the 1987 television adaptation of Things Fall Apart, including Nollywood legend Pete Edochie, who famously portrayed Okonkwo. Adding a touch of Igbo tradition, the iconic Ajofia masquerade, which symbolized cultural authority and mysticism in the novel, will make a grand appearance during the re-imagined Umuofia Village experience.

Centre for Memories: Preserving Igbo Heritage

The festival is the brainchild of the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo, an Enugu-based cultural institution established in 2017. Committed to preserving Igbo history and heritage, the Centre has gained acclaim for its exhibitions and documentaries that celebrate the culture and contributions of the Igbo people.

The Centre’s Director, Iheanyi Igboko, noted that the festival aims to “create a space for cultural reflection and dialogue, grounded in Achebe’s timeless storytelling.” He added that the theme of the festival would provoke critical conversations on gender, tradition, and the human experience as depicted in Achebe’s work.

The Things Fall Apart Festival promises to be a major cultural event that not only honors Achebe’s legacy but also bridges the gap between traditional storytelling and modern expressions of culture. Adichie’s keynote, along with contributions from various cultural custodians, is expected to attract local and international audiences, solidifying Enugu’s place on the global literary map.

Organizers are optimistic that the festival will become an annual celebration that immortalizes Achebe’s contribution to world literature, while also fostering cultural pride and historical awareness among younger generations.