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PRESS 2021
THIS NEW YEAR
We light a candle in memory
of the many lives lost...
We light a candle in honour
of the frontline heroes
who risk their own lives
to ensure the safety of ours...
We light a candle in honour
of the resilienceof the human spirit
- WE'RE SURVIVORS!
This New Year we light a candle
in the HOPE of a healthier New Year...
Wishing you a HEALTHY New Year!
- Adiela Akoo
(Pls refresh the page if the video says 'unavailable')
Vice-Chair Appointment
27 February 2021
Litasa, KZN AGM (Online)
Adiela Akoo appointed as the Vice Chairperson of Litasa, KZN - The Literacy Association of South Africa - conferred at the KwaZulu Natal Annual General Meeting on 27/02/2021.
Published
ILA MAGAZINE
February / March Issue
Two poems published in ILA Magazine - the International Literary & Art Review. The November issue had a book feature on Lost in a Quatrain
Commissioned
March 2021
Utrecht UNESCO City of Literature
Netherlands
Adiela Akoo chosen to represent Durban UNESCO City of Literature in a chain poem commissioned by Utrecht UNESCO City of Literature in commemoration of World Poetry Day.
11 Cities of Literature will be participating with a poet from each city adding three lines to the poem that began in Utrecht, on the 21st of each subsequent month
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Best New African Poets 2020
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April 2021
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The Best New African Poets series spotlights leading emerging poets across Africa.
The Best New African Poets 2020 Anthology was listed among the 50 Notable African books of 2021 by Brittle Paper. It has 352 poems from 140 African poets who reside in over 20 African countries.
The Best New African Poets 2020 features three poems by Adiela Akoo, including the poem 'Coupling' from her soul-stirring debut collection, Lost in a Quatrain
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Litasa Leadership Course
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April 2021
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Completed a four part online leadership course
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Litasa Executive Meeting
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Saturday, 22 May 2021
10:00 - 12:00 (Online)​
Giving Back
29 May 2021
In an effort to raise much needed humanitarian aid, a Lost in a Quatrain hamper served as an added incentive. Whoever spent/donated a thousand rands or more during a fundraising event organized by a dynamic group of PMB women, had their names included in a lucky draw.
The event was held on 29 May and the winner, Zaibie Frank, was drawn by the organizers on 1 June 2021
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Litasa Executive Meeting
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Saturday, 12 June 2021
10:00 - 12:00 (Online)
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Litasa Board Meeting
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Thursday, 24 June 2021
15:00 - 17:00 (Online)
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Litasa Board Meeting
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Friday, 25 June 2021
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15:00 - 17:00 (Online)
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Litasa Executive Meeting
Saturday, 3 July 2021
10:00 - 12:00 (Online)
Meeting included final report back on the virtual book fair project devised and spearheaded by Adiela Akoo and scheduled for 17 July 2021
Civil Unrest
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13 July 2021​
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Violent unrest breaks out across South Africa
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Virtual Book Fair Postponed
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Due to the current conditions in the country and traumatized participants, the event was postponed until further notice
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Litasa Executive Meeting
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Saturday, 31 July 2021
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10:00 - 12:00 (Online)
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Litasa Executive Meeting
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Saturday, 28 August 2021
14:00 - 16:00 (​Online)
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Litasa Conference 2021
3 - 4 September 2021
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Garden Court Hotel, Durban & Online
'Connecting the Dots'
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Commissioned
Litasa Conference 2021
Litasa commissioned Adiela Akoo to write a poem for the welcome video at the annual conference. Theme: 'Connecting the Dots'
(Pls refresh the page if the video says 'unavailable')
Paper Presented at Litasa Conference
3 September 2021 (Online)
'The Uplifting Effects Of Literacy'
Donated a Lost in a Quatrain
Book Hamper to Litasa
4 September 2021
Litasa Conference
Garden Court Hotel, Dbn
Adiela Akoo donated a hamper consisting of a signed copy of her book, 'Lost in a Quatrain', along with some delectable goodies to cater to the reading pleasure of any book lover with a sweet tooth, courtesy of Quilled Ink Press
The hamper was part of a lucky draw open to attendees of the conference and was handed over to the lucky winner by the Litasa National Chairperson
Giving Back
17 September 2021
The African Dream Sunflower Effect
Adiela Akoo was grateful for the opportunity to give back by contributing to The African Dream - Sunflower Effect anthology. All proceeds from book sales go to the Durban based African Dream Foundation that funds women empowerment projects
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Litasa Executive Meeting
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Saturday, 9 October 2021
10:00 - 12:00 (Online)
The Only Question Project
October 2021
Ulyanovsk UNESCO City of Literature
Adiela Akoo one of 40 writers invited to participate in The Only Question Project, an initiative by the Ulyanovsk UNESCO City of literature that aims to connect and open dialogue between writers linked to literary cities across the globe
The dialogue will be posted online on the Ulyanovsk UNESCO City website and will be rolled out into the coming year.
Adiela will again be representing the Durban UNESCO City of Literature, where she grew up and schooled
SAIP Awards 2021
28 October 2021
Richmond
At a gala event held in Booktown Richmond, Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo was announced as the first runner up for poetry at the South African Independent Publisher Awards 2021
The list of poetry winners were:
Mark De Wet
Adiela Akoo
Gameeda Henry
source: The Richmond Reader Issue 51 - 19 November 2021
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Universal Poem
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11 November 2021
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'A drop of PURE LOVE contains an ocean of transformative power'
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Adiela Akoo contributed to the UNHCR Universal Poem by adding 'a verse that brings down walls and creates love'
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UNESCO Cities of Literature
Chain Poem Project
21 November 2021
Utrecht UNESCO City of Literature
Netherlands
Representing the Durban UNESCO City of Literature, Adiela Akoo's contribution to the chain poem, commissioned by Utrecht UNESCO City of Literature, was added to their website on 21 November 2021, and the audio recording of her reading her lines was uploaded to the Ulyanovsk SoundCloud profile here
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Litasa Board Meeting
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Thursday, 2 December 2021
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14:00 - 16:00 (Online)
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Litasa Executive Meeting
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Saturday, 9 December 2021
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10:30 - 14:00
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The Only Question
Durban, Ulyanovsk
16 December 2021
Representing Durban UNESCO City of Literature, Adiela Akoo posed the following question to Sergei Gogin from Ulyanovsk:
“Having trained in various modalities of comprehensive healing, I find that I very often, subconsciously, meld healing into my writing. Readers tend to respond to this thus bringing it to my attention. How does your training as a healer influence your writing?”
Read Sergei's response here
Published
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18 December 2021
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Durban International Book Fair
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Adiela Akoo is one of the author contributors to the book 'Hope & Resilience', a collection of poetry and prose about hope & resilience amidst life, COVID, lockdown and looting
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The Review That Brought A Smile
2021 Roundup
It has no doubt been a bumpy year but a moment that stood out and brought a smile was stumbling upon this review from one Emily May. So, this is a shout out to say 'Thank you, Emily May,' for the timely incentive to keep going
