Ake Festival in Ikeja: What it means to find freedom at a book festival

Attending book chats with her favourite authors reignited her passion for self-discovery. “Finding freedom, to me, is the ability to make your own choices without restraint,” she said.

For Oyenoira Emmanuel, a 24-year-old content writer, the 12th edition of the Ake Arts and Book Festival felt deeply personal. 

“You don’t have to be caged to crave freedom,” she told The Record. Despite growing up in a middle-class family, Oyenoira often struggled to balance leaving her comfort zone with the realities of adulthood. 

Attending book chats with her favourite authors reignited her passion for self-discovery. “Finding freedom, to me, is the ability to make your own choices without restraint,” she said.

Held from November 21 to 23 in Ikeja, this year’s festival, themed “Finding Freedom,” explored identity, resilience, and democracy. Over the course of three days, 24 events brought together artists, authors, and thinkers, leaving attendees inspired and empowered.

Ukrainian activist Sofia Cheliak, a guest speaker on a panel, defined freedom as “the ability to be yourself.” Her perspective reflected the universal nature of the festival’s theme, which resonated across borders and e…