Nina Fabunmi Wraps Up the 2023 LRF Book Reading with ‘Petals for My Tears’

The Literary Renaissance Foundation (LRF) held its last book reading for the year on December 3, 2023, in an online gathering that kept the audience enthralled for nearly two hours.

Nina Fabunmi, a talented contemporary writer with skills in digital media, creative writing, and traditional painting, was the author of the evening. She is both a writer of prose fiction and a lover of poetry.

Nina has made a lasting impression on the international art scene. She received her MFA in painting from the esteemed Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She has shown in Europe, Africa and America, and she has won numerous accolades and been featured in esteemed publications.

She is well-known in the art world. Her works, whether they are on canvases or through the written word, reflect a deep connection to her roots and the societal dynamics that shape our world.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Director of the LRF, Babatunde Oladele, stressed the importance of education and the advancement of widespread literacy. He highlighted the problem of Nigeria’s large number of out-of-school youth and positioned the LRF as a leader in the cause of education.

The organisation hosts monthly readings with African writers to provide a forum for conversation and perspective-sharing among book lovers of various backgrounds. The LRF also hosts a quarterly Reading Culture Dialogue as part of its larger activities, which addresses important problems affecting education in Nigeria, such as ASUU strikes.

There are plans to bring representatives from federal ministries to these conversations in order to close the knowledge gap between policymaking and community conversations.

After being welcomed by the MC for the day, Alhaja Olabisi Olasupo, Nina Fabunmi approached the virtual stage to reveal the story behind her novel, Petals for My Tears.

Nina Fabunmi stated that she started writing the book in 2008 as a short story about a young girl in a village who found love. It is a romantic novel that features the love story of Tamara and Erhi.

The writer said it took her 15 years to complete the book, which contains elements of poetry and prose.

Nina Fabunmi is a highly accomplished contemporary representational artist who has also served as a faculty member at the prestigious Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Her numerous art awards and publications in renowned magazines such as American Art Collector, Southwest Art, SF Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine and Artist Portfolio Magazine are a testament to her talent and dedication. Her artistic prowess also extends beyond traditional art mediums, as she is equally adept at producing captivating works in digital media and creative writing.

When Nina read aloud chapter four from her book to the attentive audience, they showed admiration for her. Here is an excerpt of the poem that started the chapter:

REFLECTIONS

“Beautiful is what I see

But beneath lies that which is unseenToday, tomorrow, a day will come

Diving deep into your depths Tamara,

Tamara, Oh beautiful one

Fetching water in the woods

And fetching water in the woods

One day I shall reach out for thee

And claim your heart and make you mine

And you shall fetch water no more”

The talk that followed covered the book’s complex ideas and subtle story points. Cultural expression and authenticity in literature were both highlighted. One listener, Chukwuma Adekunle, praised Nina’s work, comparing it to the works of literary greats John Donne and Chinua Achebe and praising its deep resonance.

Overall, the evening’s overarching topic was the transformational potential of literature for human development.

The first LRF book reading for the year 2024 will be held on 14 January.