Literary cocktail with Ubah Cristina Ali Farah

An afternoon celebrating literature, poetry and reflect upon the many connections between Italy and Africa with a complimentary cocktail. What could be better than a spring afternoon of literature, poetry and music, enjoyed with a complimentary aperitivo beneath Johannesburg’s blooming jacarandas? The Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria warmly invites you to a special Literary Cocktail with acclaimed Somali-Italian writer and poet Ubah Cristina Ali Farah, as part of the Week of the Italian Language in the World. On 11 October, join us at the Dante Alighieri Society in Johannesburg for an afternoon celebrating literature, poetry and reflect upon the many connections between Italy and Africa. As has become our tradition, we will gather beneath the beautiful jacarandas, whose purple canopy provides the perfect setting for an informal and engaging literary encounter. A complimentary cocktail will be served — the perfect aperitivo to accompany inspiring conversation, good company, and food for both the body and the mind. The event will be hosted by Dr Raphael D’Abdon, with the participation of poet and researcher Duduzile Ndlovu, and will feature poet and author Ubah Cristina Ali Farah, accompanied by the refreshing music of Duo Gioia. Event details 11 October 2026 Dante Alighieri Society, Johannesburg 3 PM Admission is free, but booking is essential. Meet Ubah Cristina Ali Farah Ubah Cristina Ali Farah is a Somali Italian poet, novelist, playwright, and oral performer. Born in Verona and raised in Mogadishu, she is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Italian and postcolonial literature. Her writing moves between languages, cultures and continents, exploring memory, displacement, migration, identity and belonging, as well as the complex relationship between Africa and Europe. She is the author of three novels: Madre piccola (2007), Il comandante del fiume (2014) and Le stazioni della luna (2021). Her work has received numerous awards, including the Premio Lingua Madre and the Premio Vittorini. She was also a writer-in-residence at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Her visit to South Africa offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from a writer whose literary journey is deeply connected to both Italy and the African continent. With Raphael D’Abdon and Duduzile Ndlovu Raphael D’Abdon is an Italian-born writer, scholar and poet based in Pretoria. He is the author of four poetry collections, including Sunnyside Nightwalk, Salt Water, The Bitter Herb and Selected Poems 2010–2020. With his work spanning Italian and South African literary cultures, Raphael will host the afternoon as MC. Duduzile Ndlovu is a poet and researcher and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Johannesburg. Her work explores memory, migration and identity through arts-based research and creative practice. You are invited Whether you are a passionate reader, a lover of poetry, interested in Italian and African literature, or simply curious to discover a new literary voice, we invite you to join us for this special afternoon. Come for the literature. Stay for the conversation. Enjoy the good Italian food and drinks — and experience a true literary cocktail. We look forward to welcoming you beneath the jacarandas!