Ngugi on Being a Writer in a Society in Crisis on the occasion of his 70th Birthday

Irvine -- As UC Irvine prepares to celebrate "Ngugi's Spirit," on Saturday (see below), for our Martin Luther King Day show this Monday at 9 a.m., Subversity converses with Distinguished Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong'o on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Ngugi is the Director of the acclaimed International Center for Writing and Translation at UCI. He is also a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature with Comparative Literature as his home department.

Joining us in the conversation on "Being a Writer in a Society in Crisis" is Gabriele Schwab, Chancellor's Prof. of English and Comparative Literature at UCI. We'll focus on the current turmoil in Kenya.

One of the foremost contemporary African writers and an exile of Kenya and former political prisoner, Ngugi's work as literary figure, activist, and academic testify to his relentless passion and commitment to deliver much needed critique. In 2006 Ngugi published his first novel in nearly two decades, the critically lauded and lengthy The Wizard and the Crow, which went on to win the California Gold Award for fiction in 2007.

To listen to the entire show, click here:

In Ngugi's Spirit: Saturday 26 January 2008 at UC Irvine
The University of California, Irvine is delighted to announce the event, In Ngugis Spirit, to be held at the University of California, Irvines Crystal Cove auditorium on January 26th. Gabriele Schwab, Chancellors Professor of English and Comparative Literature, and David " Theo Goldberg, Professor of Comparative Literature and Director of the Humanities Research Institute, invite the community to join them in honoring the life and work of the world-renowned poet, playwright, novelist and post-colonial theorist Ngugi wa Thiongo on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Ngugi is the Director of the acclaimed International Center for Writing and Translation at the University of California, Irvine, a university treasure originally made possible through the endowment of Humanities alumnus Glenn Schaeffer. He is also a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature with Comparative Literature as his home department.

One of the foremost contemporary African writers and an exile of Kenya and former political prisoner, Ngugis work as literary figure, activist, and academic testify to his relentless passion and commitment to deliver much needed critique. In 2006 Ngugi published his first novel in nearly two decades, the critically lauded The Wizard and the Crow, which went on to win the California Gold Award for fiction in 2007.

Opening at 5:30 pm, In Ngugis Spirit will begin with remarks from UC Irvines Chancellor Michael Drake and Kenyan Ambassador Zachary Dominic Muburi-Muita and proceed with a special talk from Professor and fellow activist Angela Davis, poetry readings by poet, critic and activist Mukoma Wa Ngugi (Ngugis son) and acclaimed indigenous poet, writer and activist Simon J. Ortiz. Following this opening, guests will be invited to a reception and book signing with Ngugi and the guest speakers. At 8 pm, Humanities Dean Vicki Ruiz will open the next session, which will include poetry readings from much-admired African American poets Sonia Sanchez and Jerry Quickley. The evening will conclude with Chinese Music/African Dance: Translation and Performance, a unique event featuring Liu Sola, internationally reknowned Chinese composer, singer, writer and performer, and Koffi Koko, internationally acclaimed African Dancer.

In Ngugis Spirit is sponsored by The UC Humanities Research Institute; The Executive Vice Chancellors Office; The Dean of Humanities; The Departments of Comparative Literature, English, African-American, East Asian Languages and Literatures, German, Spanish and Music; The Critical Theory Institute; The Critical Theory Emphasis; and the Chancellor Professors Research Fund.