US Consulate to feature young writers

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos in partnership with the U.S.-Africa Literary Foundation last week launched a reading initiative tagged “READ IT LOUD.” The new platform was designed to discover and encourage youth and other interested members of the public in the art of writing and reading. In a welcome remark at the opening of the first session, Public Affairs Officer Tina Onufer said “reading loud or recitation of poetry helps in the development of reading and learning outside of the classroom.”  She added that “it also helps develop confidence in the speaker out of his comfort zone.” She encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the forum to develop themselves. The first edition with the theme “Celebrating Black American and African Writers,” gave opportunities to both professionals and budding writers to read out loud their works and works of others followed by lively discussions after each reading. Those who read excerpts of their works included Ms. Umari Ayim who read from her “Twilight at Terracotta Indigo.” The audience also had the opportunity of watching legends like Maya Angelou, Wole Soyinka, Thabo Mbeki and Mutabaruka read their works on video. READ IT LOUD will come up every first Thursday of the month. Interested members of the public should write to wyllagos@state.gov  for participation.Source :IRC newsletter