QURAMO FESTIVAL OF WORDS 2025: ARIBISALA CELEBRATES THE LITERARY BRAVERY AND IMAGINATION OF YOUNG WRITERS AT QURAMO FESTIVAL

The Quramo Festival of Words (QFest) 2025 concluded with an atmosphere of brilliance, reflection, and renewed creative energy. This year’s festival, themed “A Brave New World,” brought together writers, readers, thinkers, publishers, and cultural workers who engaged in bold conversations and explored new possibilities within the literary space. Held from October 2–5, 2025, at Eko Hotels & Suites, the festival featured an impressive line-up of masterclasses, panel discussions, book launches, and community film screenings. A major highlight was the Page to Prize segment, where the top five shortlisted writers were interviewed. The moment reached its peak when Hubaidat Oyinkansola Ishola emerged winner of the Quramo Writers’ Prize 2025, earning ₦1 million.

One of the standout sessions of the festival was the panel titled “Cultivating Tomorrow’s Readers and Leaving Legacies that Last,” featuring Nurudeen Segun Aribisala—editor, researcher, curator, Programme Manager at Unchained Vibes Africa, and Co-Founder of Book and Art Hub. With years of experience managing literary events such as QFest and the Lagos Book and Art Festival, Aribisala offered rich insight into the delicate work of nurturing emerging writers and building vibrant reading cultures. His conversation with the audience underscored the significance of literary festivals as engines of imagination, mentorship, and cultural continuity.

In her welcome address, Ghemi Shasore, CEO of Quramo Publishing & Productions, reflected on the power of language in shaping societies. “Words are not merely creative, but transformative. They enrich the intellectual and cultural fabric of our society and connect us across borders and generations,” she affirmed.

The festival’s theme, “A Brave New World,” echoed throughout the sessions—a reminder that creativity demands courage. It urged participants to challenge old assumptions, reimagine narratives, and build new pathways for future storytellers.

“It requires courage to imagine beyond boundaries and to forge new ways others can follow,” Shasore added.

QFest 2025 hosted a distinguished range of voices, including Professor Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ, Joke Silva, and Tade Ipadeola. The festival also witnessed the launch of notable titles such as Home Is Not a Place by Sam Monye and Fisayo and the 13 Wishes by Jesutofumi Fekoya. Attendees enjoyed a community film screening and participated in a dynamic workshop, “Reimagining African Futures on Screen,” facilitated by filmmaker BB Sasore.

As the curtains fall on QFest 2025, the hope is that the conversations, inspirations, and connections forged within this space will extend into the wider literary world. May the brave new world envisioned at this festival continue to grow—shaping minds, nurturing writers, and strengthening the cultural spirit long after the final session has ended.

© RASHIDAT OLAMIDAYO AJAKAYE 

- Nigeria