Nigerian literary icon and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has stated that he is prepared for his death, reflecting on his life’s journey and legacy in a recent interview.
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has disclosed that he has made arrangements for his eventual passing, although he still intends to take a vacation.
During an interview with CNN, the 90-year-old playwright, essayist, and poet shared reflections on his life, artistic journey, and future. Soyinka provided insight into how he uniquely celebrates his birthdays by often retreating into nature.
Soyinka mentioned, “Typically, on my birthdays, I retreat into the forest. Solitude brings me great joy.” He then reflected on aging: “What’s bothersome is that I don’t feel 90. It seems I’ve come to take birthdays for granted.”
Soyinka’s home in Abeokuta, filled with modern art and cultural artifacts, reflects Nigeria’s vibrant heritage while providing a serene retreat. Reflecting on this, he remarked: “Perhaps deep down I desire companionship, which is why I’ve gathered all these.”
In addition to being his residence, Soyinka’s estate symbolizes his commitment to environmental preservation, showcasing his personal reforestation initiatives. He affectionately calls it “the autonomous republic of Ijegba,” which highlights both his passion for nature and dedication to restoring the surrounding land.
“When I first moved here, the area was completely covered in forest and served as my hunting grounds,” he remembered. “It truly felt like being in another country where I could remain isolated from society.”
When questioned about his perspective on the future, Soyinka offered a reply that skillfully mixed humor with gravity.
“I don’t mean to be grim, but we all know what the future holds. I’ve made plans for that eventuality within this estate; it’s simply where we’re all destined to go.”
Before looking to that eventual future, the iconic writer has more immediate plans.
“The first step is to take a vacation and make a legally binding resolution to stop granting interviews,” Soyinka concluded
Premiered Oct 9, 2024 CNN’s Larry Madowo interviews Nigerian author and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He tells the CNN African Voices Changemakers host about his life of solitude, where he gets his inspiration and his plans for his death
