News & Events

On 28 May 1989, Cape Verdean writer, poet, linguist and lawyer Baltasar Lopes da Silva died in Lisbon at the age of 82. With Manuel Lopes and Jorge Barbosa, he was the founder of the literary journal Claridade. Read the Library Weekly!

On 17 May 1973, South African painter and printmaker Maria Magdalena ('Maggie')  Laubser died in Strand, Western Cape, at the age of 87. She is generally considered, along with Irma Stern, to be responsible for the introduction of Expressionism to South Africa. Read the Library Weekly!

The African Studies Centre Leiden proudly presents its new logo! It depicts a frame through which the ASCL observes, researches and aims to understand diverse African realities. With the new logo comes a new website with a fresh look, which we will continue to work on in the coming months.

On 15 May 2002, Nigerian educationalist, writer and advocate for women’s education Lady Kofoworola Ademola (née Moore) died at the age of 88. She was the president of the National Council of Women Societies in Nigeria and was the head of the women's organisation from 1958 to 1964. Read the Library Weekly!

On the occasion of Jan-Bart Gewald’s selection as a fellow at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), we interviewed him about the research project The 'Big Hole', Kimberley South Africa, 1870-1920 which he will conduct there. ‘Without “the Big Hole”, southern Africa wouldn’t exist as it is now.' 

In Jean-Marie Teno's latest film 'Chosen', Teno recounts his meeting with a woman whose life journey mirrors a generation of Africans: who left Africa one day and are now struggling to find their way back home. Read the Library Highlight!