The Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, known for his deep engagement in art and politics, recently reflected on his life and the current state of the world. He described himself as “a fundamentalist of human freedom,” emphasizing his commitment to this principle.
Soyinka's history includes being a political prisoner during Nigeria's civil war in the late 1960s and facing treason charges decades later. He gained international recognition when he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, celebrated for his impactful and poetic works.
As he approached his 90th birthday, Soyinka sought to disengage from the troubling news surrounding global conflicts, particularly the situations in Ukraine and Gaza. He attempted to avoid media consumption for six months, although he acknowledged the difficulty of this endeavor.
His experiment in disengagement ended when he was prompted to revisit his 1958 play “The Swamp Dwellers,” which is currently receiving an Off Broadway premiere. Soyinka expressed surprise at the relevance of his early work, which reflects his youthful optimism about Nigeria's independence.
In discussing his artistic philosophy, Soyinka noted that art and politics are intertwined, but he does not romanticize turmoil as beneficial for creativity. He expressed concern over recent political developments in the United States, reflecting on the regression of civil rights gains and the rise of divisive sentiments.
Despite his disillusionment, Soyinka maintains a vision for a better society, acknowledging that while he has lost some idealism, the aspiration for a just world remains. He continues to engage with the challenges of the present, embodying a lifelong commitment to advocating for human rights and freedom.