Elif Shafak and Wole Soyinka | Studio B: Unscripted

In this episode of Studio B: Unscripted, renowned novelist and academic Elif Shafak sits down with award-winning playwright and essayist Wole Soyinka to talk nationalism, safe spaces, and the role of storytellers in the modern age.
Elif Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish novelist and the most widely read female author in Turkey. Her latest book, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World was shortlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize. Shafak is also a celebrated public speaker and activist, championing women's rights, minority rights and freedom of expression.
Wole Soyinka was the first black African to win a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986 and has a long history of fighting for social justice and human rights both within his country, Nigeria, and among the global African diaspora.
He famously described the primary focus of his work to be "the oppressive boot, and the irrelevance of the colour of the foot that wears it".
With their wealth of knowledge and experience, and with an aim of bridging differences, Shafak and Soyinka dissect many of the biggest issues society faces today. From the challenges of resistance and speaking out, to having multiple identities and feeling like an outsider, they leave no stone unturned in this warm, frank, and unguarded conversation.
The views expressed in this programme are the guests' own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
Studio B, Unscripted is a free-flow conversation between two guests and a small audience, with no mediation, no MC, no TV presenter ... focusing on what brings us all together and how we can tackle and discuss some of the big issues of our time.
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#ElifShafak

[@ifesanmiogundowole6456]

As a Yoruba man I've been pampered with Soyinka's work but big respect to Elif Safak's beautiful brain! I've fallen in love with this lovely woman! 💞

[@paulolorunsesan464]

Hmmm, indeed!

[@oregbesanmayowa5759]

Prof.wole soyinka is a world class genius.Each strand of his hair is loaded and full of intellectual knowledge and wisdom.His vocabularies are top notch.I love the way he compose his tenses.I like seeing him speaking.I'm proudly a Yoruba guy.

[@columbus2chris]

Wole is my intellectual icon. Proud to have come from the same country with the legend.

[@abdulhadimalik3312]

u should really have to , its so beautiful that how he is source of connection for us , me being a pakistani and u a nigerian , united by his writings

[@columbus2chris]

@@abdulhadimalik3312 i quite agree with you

[@SpreadBox]

I am proud too :-)

[@os.j4744]

@Orunmila Yyf is that salient?

[@godwinejiofor8064]

@Orunmila Yyf who ask you?

[@jamburkrishna]

Almost all (including I) who have watched this conversation seemed to have landed up on the Al Jazeera channel accidentally while surfing channels and they stayed and watched the entire thing. And then we keep coming on KZbin to watch it again.

[@tobiayelaagbe]

You see Prof Wole Soyinka's hair! Every strand stands for wisdom

[@sandraakinnadeju3280]

😁

[@ezekielkuolabuk3914]

Africa is blessed with witty, interlectuall, octogenarian like Wole Soyinka 😍

[@Wabiazofest]

Sadly, due to the lack of history in Nigeria's curriculum, Nigerians don't appreciate their heroes. You will be surprised how they are quick to attack and insult the likes of Wole Soyinka while celebrating their corrupt politicians.

[@ezekielkuolabuk3914]

@@Wabiazofest it's actually sad but again know that sociaty don't realise their blessings until it's gone.

[@meekeverything4937]

Wole Soyinka is a living legend of our time

[@imansharif5363]

Elf was a legend as well

[@dasbarasat2637]

Yes he is...Chinua Achebe has passed on and only Thiong'o and Soyinka are the legends left

[@hassanlabyad4082]

legend my qss

[@evanjelinak7043]

Listening to Elif Shafak is like therapy

[@yaserhussain8113]

Both of them are eloquent in speech and amazingly talented. It was such a pleasure to hear both of them on this platform. Love it.

[@frank099100]

She is not, just angry lady against her own state which is victim of western antiIslam rather than what she argued. Brain washed story teller who milked westerners at the cost of anti Turkey’s slogans

[@hyperdiegesis]

I was just doing a piece of essay on Wole Soyinka and this just popped up. I am also Turkish btw this can't be a coincidence XD

[@peteralex2813]

Nice, cos you are the 2nd person I know that is much enlighten in English writing and also wanting to write an essay on a Poet Guru called Wole Soyinka. Cos Turkish/Kurdish people often tells you that English speaking is problem.

[@hyperdiegesis]

@@peteralex2813 what do you mean English speaking problem? Like they can't speak it? That's a bit untrue... Also Turkish Kurds are different than other Kurds. Like an Iraqi Kurd wouldn't be able to understand a Turkish Kurd. Their cultures are so different. So I don't really get your comparison?

[@raymondorech5578]

You must be using Google docs...

[@hyperdiegesis]

Raymondo Rech ?

[@raymondorech5578]

@@hyperdiegesis How do you think KZbin recommended this? Tracking yo!...

[@TheKemiYusuf]

I just wanted to see a few minutes and I ended up watching the whole thing. I enjoyed this conversation greatly.

[@damilolaodubanjo2633]

Same here

[@petduro]

@@damilolaodubanjo2633 same

[@Anadus-Health-Lifestyle]

Same here

[@Soloklef]

@@mr.gaming6277 if you might know, he is not Morgan Freeman the Hollywood Actor

[@KimbeANi]

I'm currently doing the exact same thing. I selected this video by accident. What a 💎

[@emmanuelalleh4408]

"The distinction between Patriotism and Nationalism" Great conversation. I adore these two.

[@adeolujohnson5285]

Professor Wole Soyinka is a gift to the world! He wrote us a long autobiography essay and we love it! Thank you both for your contributions. They are motivated by humanitarian needs.

[@hassanlabyad4082]

he is a curse his writings are mediocre at best and I have to memorise his book ake because of tastless people like you praising nobodies

[@ushmi369]

I am blessed to come across such a meaningful discussion.

[@thejustcenturion8888]

Sonyika, my all time favourite author. Nigeria is home to prominent literature giants. Wish most of my brothers and sisters from Naija could speak English with a nice accent like this legend. Love+254, 🇰🇪

[@samofafrica]

So your problem is the accents of Nigerians? And to speak like him? Do you know Nigeria has about 200 million plus people who have different accents? You don't know what your want.

[@FrankfavorHenshaw]

Nigerians can we however we chose not to and Prefer pidgin. Cos we like being original and African.cheers

[@bonfacenyamweya5184]

A living genius. Africa must remember this linguistic giant for ages and ages to come

[@mcsms4333]

Meaningful discussions like this should be uploaded more often so more people can benefit from their wealth of knowledge... Thank you for the upload.

[@sdeepism]

After long long time I have come across such a meaningful discussion. I can connect myself with the every word they spoke.

[@threedeafears]

why where were u before?

[@styno12]

Elif Shafak is an intellectual giant. Respects.

[@olamidearibisala]

Professor Wole Soyinka, much respect sir.🇳🇬💯

[@justmyopinion9883]

Why haven't I heard of these two magnificent writers before? I will definitely learn more about them now. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@chidinmaugoji5195]

You should read Elif shafak's 10minutes and the forty rules of love

[@justmyopinion9883]

@@chidinmaugoji5195 Thank you. I'll check these out. 😊

[@abooswalehmosafeer173]

Thanks for bringing these 2 giants into my lounge and be inspired by their Auras and Sublimilities.

[@sk3424]

As a Kurdish raised in Kurdistan I grow up with news of how turkey was treating Kurdish in (north kurdistan ) turkey and even the Kurdish villages at borders of my region It was hard not to hate them (I know I was racist and hate myself for thinking like that at that time) And then my Dad recommended one of her books , at first I said I won’t read it but I was shocked when I know it’s about a Kurdish family and I read it Then another book and kept reading her novels falling in love with her words and the world she created each time made me doubt if she was a Turkish and then I understand what she want to tell she was able to change my mind and taught me to stop hate other because of their government actions And not all Turks hate Kurds And by hating an entire race I will not fix anything and at the end of the day we are all humans and she keeps reminding everyone that As much I write it won’t be enough she is an amazing person and has an amazing impact on others

[@laisonkylemoyo3791]

Lion and the Jewel the first book i read and studied written by Wole Soyinka ...it has a balanced view on western culture at the same time inviting youths to embrace our own African culture

[@pinkberolable]

Please AlJazeera post your Studio B sessions on SoundCloud. These series make for amazing podcasts

[@opeyemiibisanmi6860]

This is an intellectual discussion that provokes thoughts. Thank you prof wole soyinke and elif shafak.

[@osaobomhenefoghe8967]

These two great intellectuals talking make me feel like intelligent as well because I can connect with everything they're saying...

[@sponsponm1]

Wole has a godly voice

[@bernardjay379]

Wole Soyinka a great man an intellectual genius.

[@dianasakala9141]

Beautiful. A huge fan of both!

[@olalekanakinpelu2551]

I love these two intellectuals. I love their eloquence and outstanding display of understanding on very broad topics. ♥️

[@qiqa2433]

I just want someone to look at me the same way Elif looks at Soyinka when he speaks

[@tobiayelaagbe]

You know right! So much value. So much adoration

[@christianakoma3893]

I'm proud of you brother you speak from the heart and exactly what the people feels so thank you.

[@Nico.Robin7]

Never heard of both but I loved this talk.

[@abooswalehmosafeer173]

Elif Shafak is so natural original spontaneous cerebral but still empathetic.Elif Shafak is my idol.The world would be a much better place if we have more people like Elif Shafak. Vive Elif Shafak. You know I have only read one early novel of her actually I did not even read it all The Gaze.But I make sure to listen her conversations on the media She saw her in the 2019 Lahore Literary at the British Library.But I did not get to speak a few words with her although she was just metres away from me.

[@raizenotaku5378]

Wole Soyinka looks and sounds like Morgan freeman

[@Emma4dfuture]

Finally!!!! Somebody sees it!

[@edu-links2983]

NO!!!! You should rather say, Morgan Freeman sounds like Wole Soyinka

[@sponsponm1]

@@edu-links2983 they both have powerful voices

[@ASIRIMagazine23]

Brilliant, no holds barred discussion.

[@ancapetruta4309]

Great conversation.!

[@ibrahimvictor8235]

I love this man...so intelligent and real

[@cindylovesgod85]

Loved this so so much. Beautiful minds.

[@adewuyiadeyanju7878]

wow "Patriotism is way too important to leave to the Nationalists and Faith is way too important to leave to the Religious"

[@charlesogbolu8267]

It seems to make sense yet it seems to make no sense at all...

[@dawnbroker5156]

@@charlesogbolu8267, you got that right. What is faith without the religious? What is patriotism with nationalist? Whoever made that quote didn't think that through.

[@colettemoore3867]

@Dawn Broker, you fail to fully comprehend the very essence of the expression. In lay tems, it can be deduced as "Patriotism goes beyond/should not be limited to/by Nationalism, & Faith goes beyond/should not be limited to/by religion". Hope that clarifies!

[@dorakemirimookuja7242]

Wole and Elif should do another series. This was very engaging. The definition of a writer, the glimpse into a writer in exile and the limitation of culture. The opportunities that culture with it's nuances offers for diversity.

[@JosephineSanni]

I love him😍😍😍

[@emstudios14]

A Great Man of our Time.

[@michaeloboh9008]

i was searching on airplane industry in nigeria with allen oyenma, this poped up and I ended up listening to the whole session

[@alexgooner2504]

Two Giants. ❤️✌🏽

[@sameergardezi]

The phrase...Wounded Democracies.....wow.

[@boulevarda.aladetoyinbo4773]

Is it that magical and descriptive?

[@Greenshorts420]

It’s hugely empathetic, embracing those who suffer under weak leadership

[@anizmanvxi3671]

I’m blessed to have come across this awesome clip. ❤️💡

[@deaafn814]

Baba Wole! E pe fun wa, Ase!

[@tunjibabalola1274]

It is well

[@tobiayelaagbe]

I had to save this before watching ... The intro.

[@koyaabatan3071]

Very comprehensive chats between two icons.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@sands_of_time12]

Well said by Mr Wole at 8 minute 25 seconds

[@casley5Bangs]

@8:25

[@Ibrahim-ku8cb]

Beautiful. Much respect for Elif👌

[@pa7957]

She is so refine , kind , gentle , smart , soft and beutiful inside out

[@lesleylofthouse276]

I agree - her books are so interesting and well written .She always shines a light on injustices in the world.

[@peteralex2813]

Lolz...Arabs🙄

[@peteralex2813]

@@lesleylofthouse276 Lofthouse since you're so good in passing out remarks on Elif Shafak works, could you please tell us what's the reason why her intellectual insight writings does not really make true effects on NATO Lesley???

[@rishabhrockstar5739]

Respect to Wole Soyinka

[@obafrank8077]

He listen word for word. That's talent

[@olasideeq]

good content. thank you

[@gbubemia]

Great conversation.

[@tapsirusaccoh3286]

Wole Soyinka Africa giant

[@FlashYxHendrx]

So beautiful. :)

[@abooswalehmosafeer173]

Elif They should they must they ought to Gratify You with the Nobel prize in Literature Because your message is very broad deep allemcompassing and warriorlly Peaceful

[@peteralex2813]

Idiot, Nobel prize is not presented to an upcoming literature writer like Elif Shafak. She's still a kid to the Master Literary Guru Poet writer Wole Soyinka. So it's better you keep shut your dirty stinking mouth if you don't know what to talk about.

[@emempj]

@@peteralex2813 Who stole your bread? You sound so angry for a simple comment from another viewer? Nothing stinking about the person's wish, except your acrid words.

[@emempj]

@@peteralex2813 plus, Wole Soyinka was once an upcoming writer. He did not become a Nobel Laureate from the womb. There is always a first, always a beginning for everyone,...and yes it is ok dream big!

[@peteralex2813]

@@emempj dude relax, you didn't hear me say "he was an already made child from the womb alright" ....But all the same, I still understand what you're trying to say.

[@emempj]

@@peteralex2813 Thanks for understanding and all the best in your endeavours. Merry Christmas!

[@Do-si]

great talk thx for sharing

[@user-ov3ez5ok6f]

الترجمة وين يا قناة الحزيزة

[@ovieonojeghuo8347]

The core of nationalism is indeed very devisive....

[@akinakinnola6367]

I think the film he's talking about is The Piano.

[@thinktheology219]

Whoa.... Just wow.. This is great

[@brianlong2707]

Violence is the most power force on earth. In the right hands can create wonders

[@maryamismail5660]

There are s many other Turkish authors, Elif Shafak, what about Burhan Sonmez, Ahmet Unit, Ilber Ortayli?

[@hinamoazzam7651]

Maryam Ismail and also elif shafaq!! No one said there weren’t

[@maryamismail5660]

@@hinamoazzam7651 and your point is? Mine is that she is always used and her story never changes. The secular athiest that uses Islam to make money off if it. خالص yeter artık. Let some else have a turn. Same goes for Wole, how many thousands of Nigerian wrtres are there, Teju Cole, is one, but since he speaks out against the white saviour industrial complex. We won't be hearing from him soon.

[@michaelonyeka4075]

Imagine Buhari seating down there speaking hahahahahaha. Everybody will be on the run lol

[@donnajazz7726]

He is Jubril Al-Sudaini from Sudan :(

[@peteralex2813]

@@donnajazz7726 🙆‍♂️😁😁😁

[@aniefiokubek687]

Why are you like this 😂😁🤓🤣

[@emmylinkglobalconnectegbun9328]

Nawaooo

[@tunjibabalola1274]

That's not fair

[@shamasrumi2105]

Elif is legend.

[@premmistry07]

woah i thought that was Morgan Freeman

[@user-gu6mg9xb7z]

لييييش مو مترجمه ليييش ليش 😭😭😭😭

[@daMyahStar]

Elif Shafak

[@debbieforareason364]

Morgan Freeman could easily pass as a younger brother to Wole Soyinka; they look and sound alike.

[@andrewomo5429]

Writers are essentially different in the world

[@Tubeyoruba]

Wounded Democracy...WD (now that is new!)

[@agabaire]

Kole Odutola u mean “World Domination”

[@Tubeyoruba]

@@agabaire That was what I heard, wounded Democracy was what she said

[@adetayoadesola7306]

Wole Soyinka has gone mad with that last question

[@manfordedgertongrayson1188]

Your brain

[@oluchiosakwe]

Nice vid

[@robertmahler8894]

I have little hope that African nations will heal themselves, but as for Turkey, I hope they return to being a secular society and the end of autocratic rule.

[@mishacknthane1060]

This woman is very powerful

[@abooswalehmosafeer173]

My Mother was very Gently Wise as Elif said her Grandmother was.

[@peteralex2813]

Arabs!!!

[@bamgboyekehinde7518]

😊😊😊😊

[@yagyabasnet4712]

🙏💯

[@emejurumartins1044]

Nigeria has stop teaching histroy in their schools. Is dangerious.

[@13thghost42]

They stopped it in 1999.

[@hyperdiegesis]

Well in Turkey they are teaching us (almost forcing us) history but half of it is a lie and the other half is just propaganda

[@hyperdiegesis]

Ewarton Charlton Yea but we in Turkey we dont know anything about what happens after the 1930s; 0 idea. Because those times (especially 50s and early 60s) are super sketchy and the government dont want to tell us how bad we are/were. For example no one talks about how the military hanged one of our presidents, Adnan Menderes, hence the younger generations have no idea how our democracy was always farcical in the first place

[@coalepps8936]

Charlton never knew that, learning something new every day.

[@ratatouille1233]

@Ewarton Charlton I've always wondered why that part of their history is being erased? Is it to forget colonisation and slavery? But the world wars are always remembered, so nobody forgets

[@joliebunny88]

I used to adore Elif Shafak, but after watching many interviews on YT I’ve realized that her speeches tend to be somewhat repetitive. For instance, she uses this statement about “wounded democracies” in all her interviews and I don’t even agree with it. It seems to allude that Europe had a perfect version of democracy until the “sudden” rise of right-wing populists, but that’s certainly not the case as the rise of right-wing parties in Europe is simply not a new phenomenon.

[@alfreddavid5601]

I think If you stand for something and have a strong view towards that thing you get to be repetitive if you talk about it over and over. Its bound to happen cos their ideas dont change and new words dont come up everyday. Its possible a view of hers doesn't aline with yours but that's what this kind of talk is for, to talk about these things and see how we can get better. 👍🏿

[@miketoluamure]

Before I reply you, which country or continent do you reside?

[@howardraviv2158]

Truth be told, they are not saying the same thing. They are just speaking about the bad things that are happening in their country.

[@aileenr.maglalang8017]

38:56

[@yemsol8224]

Longlife sar place how about omoyele sowere?????

[@miketoluamure]

That language part...

[@bigbrother5044]

History with a capital H. Can we trace this back to the fundamental confusion of Socrates who misunderstood that knowledge is not static ?

[@faruknasir1921]

Elif Abla !!!

[@psychology_297]

ترجموه عربي😑

[@patriciaosas7649]

Org

[@lylclkbs]

Türkçesi Ingilizcesine göre daha temiz. Ingilizce konuşurken Türk Ingilizcesi olduğu anlaşılıyor. Kitaplarını Ingilizce yazıyorsa demek ki Ingilizce düşünüyor. Daha iyi konuştuğun bir dilde düşünmemesi bana tuhaf geliyor.

[@vernedavis]

good people on stage. woke, irrelevant questions

[@patriciaosas7649]

religion

[@laviedemoi3306]

When did Shafak become a “British”-Turkish novelist lol?

[@caliskanmucahit]

Elif, how could you be a British, cmon?

[@mathlogicb]

Elif is one of the first collaborates of the Islamic government in Turkey, with her other liberal friends. She had the role of bashing out the criticisms from the seculars against the new Islamic government. Then, when the Islamic government needed her no further, she fled to the UK. Now, the Turkish seculars suffer under the Islamic government, and she enjoys London and calls herself also British ("Turkish-British"). Hahaha.

[@ubuntu2551]

When you order morgan freeman from alibaba

[@itsthronebaby]

Dude is way better than Morgan

[@chimyyoungdoc519]

He is not exactly what he pretends to be , I mean wole , he helped those aimless buhari to rule us , but have kept quiet as the country burns ,dine and wine with many bad politicians, his children giving jobs opportunities so he can stay mute , and it's working, don't bother yourself with his eloquent voice ,let him organize another million match as he did with his people during Jonathan, there are many like him ,pretence

[@JibrilLamai]

He is older than Morgan Freeman

[@FERESE]

We know who came after who from the age. From his early pictures, he's always looked the same. Freeman didn't have that signature look from his early days. Prof doesn't have DPN on his face so I see no comparison here.

[@tochi7254]

Wole, the man that helped put Nigeria in this terrible economy, by helping to elect this president

[@infogreat9275]

If you are knowledgeble enough you should have ditest that his working on regime change, hope you know Sowore is in prison for fighting for the liberation of Nigerians, 5hink deep always ok

[@tochi7254]

@@infogreat9275 Sowore is in prison because of the guy he put in Aso in 2015. He used Sahara Reporters to install a coup plotter in 2015. He also knew that reporters were jailed in 1983, yet he supported him in 2015. Jonathan put it best, "you will all miss this freedom of speech when I am gone" I am not a fan of Jonathan, but he got it right. But honestly, I pray for Sowore, despite what he did in 2015.

[@rhotel06]

Common sense is not common

[@tunjibabalola1274]

Really?

[@tochi7254]

@@tunjibabalola1274 yes, really. Please correct me with facts if I am wrong.