The Benue Book and Arts Festival (BBAAF), returns for its 2025 edition, promising to bridge continents through art, literature, and social dialogue.
This year, BBAAF will unfold across two regions, with activities in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Under the theme Home & A-Way, the festival will span two months, offering a diverse program that includes exhibitions, literary panels, workshops, and live performances.
The festival kicks off on January 25th in Nottingham, England, where it will celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the African diaspora. A few weeks later, the event will shift to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State in Nigeria, with activities scheduled for February 21st and 22nd. Additionally, organizers will hold a series of online sessions between January and March to ensure global participation.
BBAAF is not just a celebration of art but a platform for cross-cultural exchange. The festival aims to spotlight both the vibrant creativity of diasporans in England and the deep-rooted cultural heritage of Nigeria’s Middle Belt. This year, in partnership with the Goethe Institut, the festival strengthens its international reach, further cementing its role as a key player in fostering dialogue between these two artistic communities.
The festival is organized by SEVHAGE Publishers and the SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative. Through its quarterly events in Nottingham and the hybrid summit in Makurdi, BBAAF continues to provide an avenue for creative expression while promoting social impact. The event brings together writers, artists, and thinkers, exploring how culture can be a vehicle for social change.
