PAWA to participate in ‘Heritage Voyage of Return’ project across the Atlantic

By Editor

THE Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) will be participating in a forthcoming symbolic homecoming that will retrace in reverse, the historical maritime routes, cities and settlements through which millions of Africans were forcibly taken into slavery.

This was part of the outcomes of a meeting which took place recently between some literary and cultural stakeholders with Professor Wole Soyinka who is the project’s coordinator.

According to Prof Soyinka, the Heritage Vovage of Return ( HVR) a transformative ocean Vovage which will connect Brazil, the Americas and the Caribbean back to the African continent has been recognized as a Pan- African cultural and historical initiative, offering a symbolic and physical homecoming for descendants of enslaved Africans across the Americas.

The project has already been receiving official endorsements from high level government and cultural officials including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President Lula da v Silva of Brazil among others.

The event’s organizers believe that: “Beyond it’s commemorative value, the HVR serves as a pivotal step towards exorcising the long-endured trauma of violent displacement and cultural fragmentation that continue to echo across the continent today”.

The approximately 10 weeks Atlantic project
which will feature a specially curated floating “mini-FESTAC” cruise vessel that will sail through selected cities in Brazil, The Americas, The Caribbean, The Mediterranean as well as the West African Coastline is set to take place in the third quarter of 2027.

??? (left); Dr. Newton jibunoh; Prof. Wole Soyinka; ???: Dr. Wale Okediran and Jahman Anikulapo at the ‘Heritage Voyage of Return’ project… in Lagos