CFP: "THINGS FALL APART at 50," Institute of English Studies, University of London, October 10-11, 2008.

The publication of Chinua Achebe's first novel, Things Fall Apart, in 1958 marked the beginning of a new era in African writing in English. It was an inspiration for writers and readers not only on the African continent but throughout the world. Fifty years later, and as part of a series of worldwide events instigated by the Achebe Foundation in New York, this conference seeks to revisit that novel and assess its significance then and now. Speakers will include those involved in publishing and republishing the novel, writers, readers, artists, and critics from Africa, Europe, the UK, and the United States. Among the writers who have agreed to take part are Doris Lessing, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Elleke Boehmer, and Abdulrazak Gurnah. The conference will culminate with a dialogue between Chinua Achebe and the eminent Princeton scholar Simon Gikandi. Proposals for papers or panels are invited on topics such as 'Reading Things Fall Apart'; 'Teaching Things Fall Apart'; ' African literature after Things Fall Apart'; ' Reconsidering Things Fall Apart'; 'Publishing and Marketing Things Fall Apart'; ' Things Fall Apart outside Africa'. Proposals for 20 minute papers or for panels should be sent to Professor Lyn Innes by email (c.l.innes@kent.ac.uk) or post (School of English, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NX, UK), no later than March 1st, 2008. Visit the conference website here: http://ies.sas.ac.uk/events/conferences/2008/Achebe/index.htm.