A youth-centered literary program, “Writing Destiny – A Youth Literary Workshop for Liberia,” is set to conclude later this month with the launch of a historical novel that revisits the life of one of Africa’s most renowned anti-colonial resistance leaders, Emperor Samori Touré.
The initiative, which focuses on mentoring young Liberian writers while strengthening their engagement with literature, history, and storytelling, will culminate in the author’s first-ever book launch on Liberian soil.
Titled The Emperor’s Son, the novel delves into the legacy of Samori Touré, the 19th-century West African ruler celebrated for his prolonged resistance against European colonial forces.
Ahead of the event, the author described the opportunity to work with young Liberians as both meaningful and rewarding.
“Being able to share my experience and knowledge with Liberia’s youth is one of the most fulfilling moments of my life,” the author remarked.
According to him, the workshop goes beyond teaching creative writing techniques, aiming instead to spark deeper reflection on African identity, heritage, and historical consciousness among young people.
Rather than offering a conventional historical retelling, The Emperor’s Son seeks to explore lesser-known dimensions of Samori Touré’s story. Inspired by the belief that “novels often emerge where history is silent,” the author employs fiction grounded in culture and context to shed light on aspects of the legendary leader’s origins that are often absent from historical records.
At the heart of the narrative is Zaiwulo, a young Kpelle boy from Haindi, in the dense forest region of what is now Liberia. His journey across the river into the savannah during the 19th century leads him into a transformative encounter with Samori Touré, then Emperor of the Wasulu Empire.
Through Zaiwulo’s experience, the novel creates a symbolic connection between Liberia’s forest communities and the wider West African resistance movement, underscoring Liberia’s frequently overlooked role in regional history.
“In writing The Emperor’s Son, my goal was to bring together the historical and cultural strands that shape who we are as a people,” the author explained.
The book launch is expected to draw students, academics, writers, historians, and enthusiasts of African literature, providing a platform to celebrate shared heritage through creative expression.
The event will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the University of Liberia (UL) Main Auditorium. Organizers describe the occasion as both a major literary achievement and a cultural homecoming that honors history through storytelling.
