THE fifth edition of the annual Things Fall Apart Festival holds from June 29 through July 5 courtesy the Centre For Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo (CFM).
The theme is “Masculine, Feminine, Human: The Dialogue of Complements in Things Fall Apart.”
A weeklong celebration of Chinua Achebe’s enduring literary masterpiece, the 2025 feast will climax with the Things Fall Apart Day, designed as a grand finale of symposiums, performances, and exhibitions.
The Things Fall Apart Festival is an expansion of the annual Things Fall Apart Day, which has been celebrated for five years, stated the organisers, disclosing further that the festival aims “to transform the one-day event into a week-long festival that more accurately reflects Achebe’s impact on global literature.
According to the Centre for Memories, the festival is designed as a cultural immersion, bringing Achebe’s Umuofia Village to life through various artistic and technological expressions. Attendees can expect:
Umuofia Village Experience: A recreation of the fictional Igbo community central to Things Fall Apart, offering a glimpse into pre-colonial life.
Dramatic Performances and Staged Readings: Featuring excerpts from Things Fall Apart and Achebe’s other works, brought to life by theatre artists and cultural performers.
A highlight of the festival will be the special appearance of actors from the 1987 television adaptation of Things Fall Apart, including Nollywood legend Pete Edochie, who famously portrayed Okonkwo. Adding a touch of Igbo tradition, the iconic Ajofia masquerade, which symbolised cultural authority and mysticism in the novel, will make a grand appearance during the re-imagined Umuofia Village experience.
Celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who is currently on an international tour promoting her latest novel, Dream Count, will deliver the keynote address at the festival, exploring the festival’s theme, which critically examines the interplay of gender, culture, and humanity in Achebe’s writing. “The event also marks her return to Nigeria after a series of global engagements, highlighting her commitment to celebrating Achebe’s legacy—a writer she describes as one of her greatest literary influences,” said the organisers.
Maazi Iheanyi Igboko, Director of the CFM, said: “Achebe’s legacy challenges us to see wholeness where the world offers division, and this year’s theme speaks to that call for balance and mutual respect.”
A press release from the organisers states in part:
“This year’s edition invites audiences to explore Achebe’s deep reflections on balance —between masculinity, femininity, and shared humanity —through curated salon sessions, essay competitions, art exhibitions, tribute readings, and the creation of a Things Fall Apart Village!”
Chair of the planning committee, James Ngwu Eze, poet, journalist and literary activist, said: “We invite schools, creatives, literary societies, traditional institutions, and the public to come experience one of Africa’s most iconic novels — live, vibrant, and unforgettable!”
Highlights of the festival include:
1. A keynote symposium featuring leading scholars
2. Electrifying performances by traditional groups, including the iconic Egwugwu mask
3. Art displays inspired by Things Fall Apart’s timeless questions
4. Fireside chats, school tours, and immersive cultural experiences across Enugu