Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of "Things Fall Apart"

First published in 1958, Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart is hailed as the most widely read book in modern African literature. Its story chronicles pre-colonial life in the southeastern part of Nigeria and the arrival of Europeans.

In celebration of the novel’s 60th anniversary, Medgar Evers College’s English department and the Center for Black Literature hosted Former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe and Dr. Chinelo Achebe Ejueyitchie, the daughter of Chinua Achebe, for a conversation about the book. Dr. R.A. Ptahsen-Shabazz, associate professor of Africana Studies, moderated the discussion.

The Edison O. Jackson (EOJ) Auditorium was filled with faculty, staff, and students who listened in as the three discussed the novel and its relevance to the world today. The conversation also touched upon the political and economic situation in Africa.

“The best way to understand Things Fall Apart is to view it in motion, in the sense that Chinua Achebe’s world which shaped him as well as the tradition of African communities at the time have lessons that are still relevant today,” former president Motlante told his audience.

Following the conversation, the panel took questions from the audience.

To view the complete program from the event, please visit: https://issuu.com/cmpimedia/docs/things_fall_apart.docx.

To read an article that appeared in the IFE news, please visit: http://www.ifenews.com/news/128/60-years-after-achebes-things-fall-apart-former-south-african-president-takes-africa-to-task-dont-be-prisoners-of-the-past.html.