ADDIS LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2025
Addis Ababa University Involved |
Events across a variety of venues in the city
The Addis Literature Festival 2025 was the first of its kind to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventeen (17) events took place from Tuesday 2 December to Sunday 14 December 2025 across a variety of venues in the city.
Addis Ababa University’s 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary celebrations were incorporated into the festival events. Panel discussions, In Conversation events, Poetry readings, Book Signings, a Book Swap and two Book Fairs were key events.
The idea and concept of the festival as a platform to bring together readers, writers, publishers and book sellers was organized by Culture Club with the invaluable and generous support from the British Council Ethiopia, Hilton Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa University and BookWorld.
INTERNATIONAL GUEST AUTHORS
Lemn Sissay – celebrated British-Ethiopian poet, playwright, and broadcaster, former Chancellor of Manchester University in the UK and official poet for the 2012 London Olympics.
Goretti Kyomuhendo – renowned Ugandan novelist, mentor, publisher, founder of the African Writers Trust, first Director of FEMRITE (Uganda Women Writers Association) and literary activist with over 30 years of experience.
Thebe Ikalafeng – an award-winning South African marketer and author. His new book explores how anchoring ourselves in our culture is the key to authenticity, distinction, and competing on the global stage.
Amazing GUests |
LOCAL PARTICIPANTS
Over forty local guest authors, poets, writers, musicians and academics were also invited to participate in the festival including:
Abebe Balcha, Adam Reta, Alula Pankhurst, Ass. Prof. Ezana Amdework, Bedilu Wakjira (PhD), Bewketu Seyoum, Daniel Belayneh, Dawit Berhanu, Dr. Andualem Ermias, Dr. Kalkidan Alachew, Enanu Girma, Endalegeta Kebede, Eyob Alemayehu, , Fekadu Ayelign, Habtamu Adera, Hailemelekot Mewael, Hawaz Yeshaneh, Hiwot Emishaw, Hiwot Teffera, Jorga Mesfin, Konjit Seyoum, Lij Daniel Jote, Linda Yohannes, Maheder Gebremedhin, Meaza Worku, Melehiti Kiros, Menber-Mariam Hailu, Prof. Bahru Zewde, Prof. Shiferaw Bekele, Prof. Tedla Shibiru, Rediet Terefe, Seid Mehedin, Tesfaye Eshetu, Tesfaye Mamo, Tesfaye Sima, Theodros Atlaw, Tigist Alemayehu, Tilahun Tassew, Woldegabriel Desalegn, and Yikunnoamlak Mezgebu.
Students, book lovers and literature enthusiasts who have been contributing to the literary landscape in Addis Ababa also participated.
venues |
The festival took place across the city in the following venues: Lebawi International Academy, Fendika@Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa, Hilton Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa University Cultural Center, Addis House of Culture (AHOC) and The Urban Center.
ADDIS LITERATURE FESTIVAL IN NUMBERS |
Days: 13
Participants:43
Events: 17
Attendees: 5,770
Book Vendors: 26
Press Coverage: 9
TV: Fana Kelemat, Fana 90 Minutes, EBS, ETV, NBC,
Radio: Sheger FM, Arada FM, Asham Radio, 102.5 FM (Kebet Eske Ketema)
