When the 2011 edition of the Garden City Literary Festival (GCLF) kicks off in Port Harcourt on September 12th , it will have in attendance very influential personalities. From the United States will come civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson and from Ghana renowned writer Ama Atta Aidoo. World acclaimed author Chinua Achebe will deliver the keynote address (via video) at the opening ceremony on Wednesday 14th September, on the general theme of "Literature and Politics". Jackson will give an address on 'The African Struggle for Democracy: lessons from the American Civil Rights movement', while Ama Atta Aidoo will speak on 'Gender spaces in African literature and politics'.

Also expected at the august event are authors Lola Soneyin ('The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives'), Ken Wiwa ('In the Shadow of a Saint'), Ilyas Tunc (from Turkey), Lisa Combrinck (from South Africa), Chimeka Garricks (author 'Tomorrow Died Yesterday'), and Michael Peel (author 'A Swamp Full of Dollars'). Other key events are the Garden City Book Fair and the writers' workshop. Intending participants may register for both by visiting the website at gardencityfestival.com. 


The GCLF book fair will open on Monday September 12th and run till the end of the festival, Saturday 17th.


The Garden City Literary Festival is organized by the Rainbow Book Club, in collaboration with the Rivers State Government.