Two of Africa’s premier writers in exile, Breyten Breytenbach and Ngugi wa Thiong’o, will head a discussion at New York’s Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway at 12th St.) on Wed., Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the New York Institute for the Humanities at New York University.
Two of Africa’s premier writers in exile, Breyten Breytenbach and Ngugi wa Thiong’o, will head a discussion at New York’s Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway at 12th St.) on Wed., Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the New York Institute for the Humanities at New York University.
A native of South Africa, Breytenbach is a distinguished painter, activist and writer of more than 30 books of poetry. A committed opponent of apartheid, Breytenbach established the resistance group “Okhela” for which he wrote the platform. From 1975- 1982, he was a political prisoner serving two terms of solitary confinement in South African prisons. He is also a Global Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at NYU.
Ngugi, born in Kenya in 1938, achieved renown as one of his county’s foremost playwrights and novelists during the sixties through such classics as Weep Not, Child; Petals of Blood; and I Will Marry When I Want. The latter two landed him in prison for a year (where he completed another novel, Devil on the Cross, on prison-issued toilet paper).
The event is free and open to the public, which may RSVP to 212.998.2100. Reporters interested in attending the event should contact James Devitt, Office of Public Affairs, at 212.998.6808 or james.devitt@nyu.edu.
- Who: African authors Breyten Breytenbach and Ngugi wa Thiong’o
- What: Discussion—“Birds of a Feather”
- When: Wed., Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
- Where: The Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at 12th St.
EDITOR’S NOTE The New York Institute for the Humanities at NYU was established in 1976 for promoting the exchange of ideas among academics, professionals, politicians, diplomats, writers, journalists, musicians, painters, and other artists in New York City-and between all of them and the city. It currently comprises 190 fellows. Throughout the year, the NYIH organizes numerous public events and symposia.