The 4th Edition of Umuofia Arts and Books Festival to be Hosted in Enugu

The Umuofia Arts and Books Festival is preparing for the fourth edition of its annual literary festival. The annual literary and cultural event held in Enugu, Nigeria is gradually becoming one of the anticipated Nigerian literary events and dedicated spaces for curating bookish dialogues, knowledge exchange and cultural insights in South-Eastern Nigeria. The festival which features panel discussions, poetry, drama, and workshops, aimed to foster cultural appreciation in Eastern Nigeria. This year’s edition will take place from 9 to 11th of July, 2026. 

Themed The Architecture of Our Stories, this fourth edition is to foster critical thinking and exchange around literary, cultural and national issues. The Umuofia Arts and Books Festival was founded in 2023 by Nigerian novelist and cultural critic, Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera under the Eagle Nest Literary Foundation. The festival debuted in Awka while the second edition, themed “Rebirth” moved to Enugu in 2024, reflecting the founder’s vision for the festival to be hosted in every city in Igbo land as it progresses. 

In an conversation with press, Chukwudera mentioned why it was important to establish the festival in Southern Nigeria. As a literary enthusiast in his early 20s, the novelist travelled across Nigeria (Lagos, Abeokuta, Uyo, Abuja, etc.) attending literary events and festivals. Attending the Ake Arts and Books Festival in 2016 opened him up to what was possible with a dedicated celebration of literature and arts and how inspiring and transformative it could be for younger artists. This epiphany and a conversation with his friend, Mark Anthony Obumneme Osuchukwu years later where they bemoaned how arid the literary culture was in the East promoted the decision to form a book club. “We were disappointed and so we decided to do something. We formed a book club where we gathered people to discuss literary essays, tradition and poetry and from that community we began an Arts and Books Festival so people could have a festival they attended here and people from Lagos and Abuja could travel here too to attend ours.”

Discussion around Nigerian and African literary production is incomplete without mentioning the enduring impact and legacy of South-Eastern writers. Writers and scholars like Chinua Achebe, Flora Nwapa, Cyprian Ekwensi, Christopher Okigbo, Buchi Emecheta, Ernest Emenyonu, Chinweizu Ibekwe, Michael Echeruo, Donatus Nwoga, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chika Unigwe, Chigozie Obioma, Akwaeke Emezi and others have continually contributed to blossoming the Nigerian and African literary spaces with the creative and critical works. 

The Umuofia Arts and Books Festival is also continuing this decades-long tradition of curating dialogues and a community of writers, thinkers and scholars. Now in its fourth year, the annual festival and the regularly held book club have inspired creatives and community builders. Names like Chimezie Chika, Emmanuel Esomnofu, Azubuike Obi, Ebri Kowaki, Edna Chinaza Ohabughiro, Chidera Chinedu, Ugochukwu Anadị, etc., are notable and incredible human resources. “We hope to expand it in the next five years and attract partnerships and sponsorships to help ease the challenges,” Chukwudera mentioned. 

By exposing its book club members to literary culture, organizing writers retreats and enabling a community of creatives, the festival hopes to continue to be a bridge to connect creatives in the region. Although the focus is regional, there is a long-term interest in opening up opportunities to creatives within and outside Nigeria when they have adequate funding and support.