Accra: Speculative fiction will take the centre stage of the 2025 Pa Gya! Festival, Ms. Mamle Kabu, Co-Director of the Writers Project Ghana, has disclosed. She noted that the 2025 edition is dedicated to speculative fiction with numerous events and workshops planned, emphasizing that the core workshop, 'Estranging the Ordinary,' will explore the genre's depth and breadth.
According to Ghana News Agency, the director of the writing group made this announcement at the launch of the 9th Pa Gya! Literature Festival, held at the European Union Ambassador's residence in Accra. The festival, an annual event organized by the Ghana Writers Project, highlights the vital role of literature in cultural exchange between Ghana and the rest of the world.
The Festival is scheduled to take place from October 18-20 at the Goethe-Institut in Accra. Among the distinguished guest writers and speakers are a poet laureate from Holland and filmmakers from Suriname, forming part of the lineup of performers at the festival. The event will feature workshops on creative non-fiction and speculative fiction on Friday, with panels, readings, and performances continuing through Saturday and Sunday.
Speculative fiction serves as a broad term for fiction that ventures beyond known or accepted reality, covering genres that imagine worlds or events different from those in current, objective reality. It is characterized by the introduction of speculative elements that deviate from the established physical laws, history, or social norms of the real world.
Ms. Kabu remarked that the speculative genre is increasingly being adopted by African writers, not solely for entertainment but as a powerful medium for social commentary and imaginative decolonization. She highlighted that speculative fiction signals an exciting trajectory for African literature, embracing a style that challenges creative boundaries and encourages profound cultural reflection.
On his part, Mr. Rune Skinnebach, European Union Ambassador to Ghana, stated that speculative fiction is a genre with universal power. He noted that literature resonates in various ways, often sharing important values and messages about tolerance, inclusion, or the universal struggles and beauty of life. The Ambassador emphasized that the universal connection of speculative fiction, amplified by a dedicated focus on the genre, positions the Pa Gya! Festival as a key hub for shaping the next era of African literary imagination.
