Anthology Harmattan on Rolling Hills has been unveiled by the Enugu State Government to preserve the state’s history, culture and traditions while promoting emerging writers and strengthening Enugu’s literary identity.
The Enugu State Government has unveiled Harmattan on Rolling Hills, a literary anthology inspired by the history, culture and people of the state as part of efforts to preserve its heritage and promote emerging literary talents.
The 100-page anthology was presented to the public on Friday, July 11, 2026, in Enugu.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Lawrence Ani, said the project was conceived to revive Enugu’s rich literary tradition and provide a publishing platform for young writers whose works often remain unpublished.
Ani explained that the initiative aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of positioning Enugu as a leading destination for culture, tourism, investment and the creative arts.
“We are trying to make Enugu the literary capital of not just Nigeria, but one of the most remarkable literary capitals, like it used to be during the era of Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi and other literary giants,” he said.
According to him, the council invited submissions from young writers across the country last year and received more than 70 entries, from which 15 stories were selected for publication.
He added that the anthology is expected to become an annual publication aimed at encouraging creativity while preserving Enugu’s history, identity and cultural heritage through fiction.
Ani stressed that the publication was conceived as a genuine literary work rather than a government public relations project, noting that books play a vital role in preserving memories and introducing readers to places they may never have visited.
Unveiling the anthology, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, said the collection vividly captures Enugu’s unique experiences, iconic landmarks and rich cultural heritage.
She noted that the stories explore notable locations, including Iva Valley, Coal Camp and other historic sites closely associated with the Coal City.
In his review, author and journalist Mr. James Eze described Harmattan on Rolling Hills as a significant contribution to Nigerian literature and a worthy addition to the global tradition of city-based anthologies.
Eze said the collection of 15 short stories presents Enugu not merely as a backdrop but as the central character, highlighting its resilience, history and cultural identity.
He further noted that the anthology preserves key historical events, including the 1949 Iva Valley coal miners’ massacre and the city’s coal mining heritage, while introducing a new generation of literary voices.
According to him, the book’s five thematic sections – Foundations, Rupture and Resilience, Arrivals, Reckoning with the Real and The Landscape Speaks – offer readers an immersive literary journey through Enugu’s evolution.
Eze also commended the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, Lawrence Ani, and the anthology’s editor, Mrs. Adachukwu Onwudiwe, for producing what he described as a historic literary work.
Speaking at the presentation, the editor, Mrs. Adachukwu Onwudiwe, revealed that the project attracted more than 72 submissions from writers in Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Owerri, Awka and the United States, with only 15 stories selected for publication.
She explained that contributors were chosen based on their lived experiences and personal connections with Enugu to ensure authentic portrayals of the city.
Onwudiwe added that presenting the stories as fiction gives writers the creative freedom to reimagine Enugu while making the city the central character in every narrative.
She expressed optimism that the anthology would become an annual publication and contribute significantly to Enugu’s aspiration of earning recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature.
The editor also encouraged writers to participate in future editions, noting that sustained literary engagement would strengthen the state’s cultural identity and enhance its international recognition.
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