Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o in conversation with Binyavanga Wainaina
Several of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s novels, including his first book Weep Not, Child, and the ensuing A Grain of Wheat and Petals of Blood, portray the history of the Kikuyu people, from pre-colonial times to the present day.
In the late 1970s, he changed his name from James Ngugi and stopped writing in English. From then on, all his novels were in Kikuyu, which was regarded as a political provocation in his homeland. After several prison terms, he was forced into exile in 1982 and now lives in California, USA, where he has a professorship and is head of the International Center for Writing and Translating.
It is hardly surprising that he has featured constantly in the nomination discussions for Nobel Laureates in literature in recent years.
Petals of Blood, considered by many to be one of the most important novels written on the African continent, was republished in 2012 in a revised Swedish translation by Jan Ristarp (En Blomma av Blod). Nigugi’s painful experiences of colonialism and his exile have led to his becoming one of the most political authors of his generation.
In 2012, Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoir was also published in Swedish (translated by Jan Ristarp)
“Dreams in a Time of War can easily be used as a superior history book. Perhaps even as compulsory reading in Swedish basic school?”
/Jan Arnald, DN In association with Norstedts. TICKETS:
About the Author
Of some relevance:
http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/The-paradox-of-reading-local-writers-through-European-lens-/-/440808/1669094/-/item/0/-/12jl0jyz/-/index.html
BUT THERE ARE POSTERS SAYING THAT HE WILL BE AT ABF HUSET.
KSB: It is possible that he will be at two places. You might want to check the date and time of the ABF beat.
Mr Wathiongo you are highly welcome to Stockholm Sir , we all apreatiate your litrature books red worldwide
i do really hope you deserve nobel prize hence your books.
welcome bwana Mwarimu
Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s program in Sweden:
Ngugi wa Thiong’o
Den 21-24 mars kommer Ngugi wa Thiong’o till Sverige.
Den 21 mars kl. 19.00 samtalar han med Binyavanga Wainaina (kenyansk journalist och författare) på Kulturhusets internationella författarscen.
Mer information här >>
Den 22 mars kl. 15.00 hålls ett seminarium i Uppsala med Ngugi wa Thiong’o och Binyavanga Wainaina på Nordiska Afrikainstitutet i Uppsala. Universitetshuset, sal IX.
Den 25 mars kl. 19.00 samtalar Ngugi wa Thiong´o med Binyavanga Wainaina i Ljusets kalender på Stadsbiblioteket i Malmö.
Mer information här >>
http://www.norstedts.se/pa-gang/pressrum/Utlandska-forfattarbesok-2010/
Throughout the 1970s,1980s and 1990s, a whole generation of more militant, left wing patriots like Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Edward Oyugi, Alamin Mazrui, Willy Mutunga, Maina wa Kinyatti, Micere Mugo, Njeri Kabeberi, Mwandawiro Mghanga, Oduor Ongwen, Wafula Buke, Adongo Ogony to name but a few and progressive democrats like Raila Odinga, Martin Shikuku, George Anyona, James Orengo, Gitobu Imanyara, Paul Muite, Chibule wa Tsuma, Mwashengu Mwachofi, Mtumishi Kathangu, Abuya Abuya, Timothy Njoya, Henry Okullu, Alexander Muge, David Gitari, Wangari Maathai and others carried high the mwenge, the torch of our national democratic movement. These strivings contributed to the crescendo which culminated in the massive NARC victory of December 2002.