Renowned Nigerian author and cultural advocate, Avosuahi Stella Bello (ASB) will on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, host a major cultural and literary event entitled “Lanterns of the Red Soil: When Stories Breathe, the Soil Remembers Its Fire,” at the Art Village, opposite Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The event, scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., will serve as the official pre-launch reading of Bello’s forthcoming novel, Adangara: A Dance of Dreams and Death , a highly anticipated work of African fantasy that explores themes of prophecy, faith, and destiny through the lens of indigenous mythology.
Organizers say the evening will feature dramatic readings, traditional Ebrẹ chant performances, storytelling and poetry sessions, music, and a lantern-lighting ceremony symbolizing renewal and cultural continuity.
Among the dignitaries expected to attend are representatives of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, members of the diplomatic corps, and leading figures from Nigeria’s literary, academic, and legal communities.
The organisers are also working to secure attendance of Ambassador Zubairu Dada, Professor Wale Adeniran, Dr. Fatima Adamu, Mrs. Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon and other notable guests from Nigeria and around the world.
Speaking ahead of the event, Bello described Lanterns of the Red Soil as “a night where art, ancestry, and imagination meet,” adding that storytelling remains central to the preservation of cultural identity.
“When stories breathe, the soil remembers our laughter, our drums, and our soul,” Bello said. “The soil remembers its fire.”
According to the organizing committee, Lanterns of the Red Soil aims to celebrate the richness of Ebira heritage while reaffirming Nigeria’s place in the global renaissance of African storytelling.
Adangara: A Dance of Dreams and Death is expected to be officially released in early 2026.
About the Author
Avosuahi S. Bello (ASB) is a Nigerian lawyer, author, and cultural advocate known for her work in promoting African literature and indigenous storytelling traditions. Her writing explores the intersections of myth, identity, and social consciousness, often drawing from the folklore of her Ebira heritage. Avosuahi has been recognized for her literary and cultural contributions and continues to champion initiatives that bridge art, heritage, and modern expression.
