The former Essex University student and honorary graduate will discuss his latest book, Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Broken-Hearted, at Harwich’s Electric Palace cinema on Wednesday, May 28.
The event, featuring a conversation with Essex University literature lecturer Dr Jak Peake, kicks off a month of county-wide art and literature celebrations.
Matthew De Abaitua, head of the department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies said: “Essex Book Festival provides our research community with exciting opportunities for public engagement.
“The festival allows us to exchange knowledge and ideas with new audiences, which not only enriches the lives of people in our local community, but also enriches our teaching and research in the arts.”
Sir Ben Okri is best known for his Booker Prize-winning novel The Famished Road.
His launch event will be followed on Friday, June 6 by a visit to the university’s Essex Business School by Labour MP Diane Abbott.
Festival director Ros Green said: “With Sir Ben Okri and the Right Honourable Diane Abbott, amongst others, in the mix, there is plenty to look forward to and celebrate this June.”