An Evening with Chinua Achebe presented by TransAfrica Forum, Library of Congress’ African and Middle Eastern Division and the Center for the Book

Webcast of An Evening with Chinua Achebe

Date and Time: November 3, 2008, 6:00pm.

Venue: Montpelier Room (LM-619) of the Library of Congress James Madison Building, located at 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.

Cost: Free

Through his fiction and non-fiction works, Nigerian author Chinua Achebe has sought to repair the damage done to the continent of Africa and its people as a result of European colonization. This is best exemplified in his most famous novel Things Fall Apart. Set in the 1890s, the novel deals with the impact of British colonialism on the traditional Igbo society in Nigeria. Published in 1958 – just two years before the end of a century of British rule in Nigeria – the novel celebrates its 50th anniversary of publication this year. Signed copies of the 50th anniversary edition of Things Fall Apart will be on sale. This will be followed by a reception with food provided by Red Calabash to celebrate Achebe’s 78th birthday.

Seating is first come, first serve; those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP to achebe@loc.gov.

Also at the Library of Congress on November 3 from 8:30am – 5:00pm is the symposium “Fifty Years of Chinua Achebe’s Celebrated Novel Things Fall Apart" sponsored by Library of Congress’ African and Middle Eastern Division and the Center for the Book in collaboration with the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa; and Howard University’s Department of African Studies and Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs. A symposium will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 119 of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, located at 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C. Visit http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2008/08-172.html for more information.

Seating is first come, first serve; those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP to achebe@loc.gov.