The Letters Learned at the Farafina Workshop – Funmi Akinsola

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A

A is for  how astonished you are when you receive Chimamanda’s email telling you are one of the lucky 24, minus one eventually, but not your one.

A is for Aslak, the teacher, who makes you think profoundly of your simple pieces, talking about the many other places in the human heart and homes you can take your story.

B

Breathe… Is what you try to do intermittently as nervousness and insecurity creep over you in the midst of these brilliant writers.

C

Chimamanda’s charm displaces your fears and makes you comfortable, not only on the first day but every day as you grow, searching your soul, finding your voice and speaking your truth.

D

Disbelief: is what you feel when the class breaks into applause at your Wangechi Mutu inspired story.

I

Insecurity is what you still feel sometimes: you feel like a fraud, wondering why you are here in the first place. Insecurity forms a ball in your throat and you begin to choke, choke until you give in to tears as you inform Bianyavanga- you don’t think – you are a good writer.

K

Kuku Kill Me is the slang for class and the title of the Farafina 16 short film.

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