The ALF’s multi-venue, extended format integrates performances and workshops, providing deeper professional engagement for publishers seeking innovative content and partnerships in Ethiopia’s evolving market.

As the Ethiopian capital gears up for the Addis Ababa Literature Festival, running 2 through 14 December, publishing professionals have a prime opportunity to engage with Africa’s burgeoning literary scene.

Organised by Culture Club Ethiopia in partnership with the British Council, Hilton Addis, Addis Ababa University (AAU), and Book World, this two-week event transforms multiple venues – including the British Council, Hyatt Regency, Hilton Addis Ababa, and AAU Culture Centre – into hubs of creative discourse.

Programme Highlights

The festival’s diverse lineup caters directly to industry insiders, featuring invitation-only sessions like ‘Inspiring Future Writers’ on 2 December and ‘Women in Literature’ on 5 December, ideal for targeted networking and discussions on publishing challenges.

Public highlights include panels on cultural heritage, such as ‘Echoes of Freedom: The Literary and Musical Heritage of the Azmari Tradition’ on 3 December, and ‘Bridge of Culture: Conversation and Book’ on 4 December.

Author signings, poetry readings, workshops, and performances spotlight figures like Ugandan novelist Goretti Kyomuhendo and British-Ethiopian poet Lemn Sissay, offering insights into cross-cultural collaborations. A book fair and marching band opening from 9 December add vibrancy, enabling publishers to scout manuscripts and trends in local storytelling.

Distinctions from the Addis Book Fair

Unlike the annual Addis Book Fair, held from 6 to 12 May 2025 at AAU’s Sidist Kilo campus under the motto ‘Books Bring Us Together!’, ALF emphasises interactive literary experiences over pure book exhibitions. The Book Fair, hosted by AAU, primarily facilitates book sales and community access, serving as a trade-oriented event for broader audiences.

In contrast, ALF’s multi-venue, extended format integrates performances and workshops, providing deeper professional engagement for publishers seeking innovative content and partnerships in Ethiopia’s evolving market.

The View From The Beach

For those in publishing, ALF 2025 promises invaluable exposure to Ethiopia’s literary ecosystem, bridging traditional narratives with modern global influences. Attendance could spark new acquisitions and collaborations, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s rising status as a literary powerhouse.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.