Books

The Irish Times holds writing contest to mark Africa Day on May 24th

Adults and children invited to submit short story or poem about African experience in either Africa or Ireland by May 8th

Bobbi Sode (3), from Blanchardstown, looks on as hip-hop dancers Onai Tafuma, TJ Adigun, Taofeekhat Adigun and Clinton Liberty perform at the launch of Africa Day 2014 at Farmleigh, Phoenix Park, Dublin. Photograph: Eric Luke

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Martin Doyle
Tue Apr 21 2015 - 17:55

To mark Africa Day, which takes place this year on Sunday, May 24th, The Irish Times has teamed up with Irish Aid to run an Africa-themed writing competition, with three categories: for primary school children; secondary school children; and adults.

Writers are invited to submit a short story or poem, which should relate to African experience in either Africa or Ireland, of up to 250 words (primary); 500 words (secondary); or 2,000 words (adult) with a deadline of Friday, May 15th. Entries can be either emailed to africaday@dhr.ie or posted to DHR Communications, 80 Francis Street, Dublin 8. The email subject line should be Africa Day Competition, and postal entries should also be clearly marked as Africa Day Competition. Children’s entries may be handwritten but adult entries must be typed.

The winning entries will be chosen by The Irish Times and Irish Aid and the winners informed on May 22nd. The winning entries will be published on May 24th. The winners will receive a selection of books to the value of €50 each and there will be a photographic presentation at The Irish Times.

The Irish Times will also mark Africa Day with the publication of two features by Eileen Battersby, the Irish Times literary correspondent; the first will celebrate a cross-section of books which in her opinion reflects the cream of African literature, while the second will reflect on a range of titles by Irish authors with an African theme or setting.

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Irish Aid will be hosting Africa Day Dublin, their flagship family event, on Sunday, May 24th, in the grounds of the Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park. This year, the event will be family-focused and free of charge to attend. There will be three stages of live music, a special kids' zone, Mount Kiddimanjaro, and an African bazaar, Marrakech, full of the sights and sounds of Africa and offering stalls from community groups and development NGOs with fun activities and food, drumming, dance, traditional fashion designs, and lots more.

The main stage will feature performers from around the world, with the other stages will showcase emerging rap and hiphop artists, up-and-coming singer-songwriters, dance and gospel groups. The hugely popular ‘Best Dressed Competition’ will also return this year. In conjunction with the city and county councils, Irish Aid also host free and family friendly Africa Day celebrations in Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Galway.