Nigerian writer and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has said he has “made arrangements” for his death even though he also plans a vacation.
At 90, the playwright, essayist, novelist and poet discussed everything from his artistic inspirations to his plans in an interview with CNN.
Soyinka shared his unconventional way of marking birthdays: retreating into the forest to embrace solitude.
He said: “Usually what I do on my birthdays is disappear into the forest. I enjoy my solitude enormously.
“The annoying thing also is that I don’t feel 90. I think I just have taken birthdays for granted.”
His home in Abeokuta, filled with modern art and artefacts, reflects the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, as well as his need for peace. Soyinka admitted: “Maybe secretly I long for company, and that’s why I accumulate all these.”
According to the renowned literary figure, his home is more than a sanctuary, but also a testament to his environmental activism.
