I am relatively a newbie to the literary community in the city, and in its charm, the city is in a way showing off what it is capable of literary-wise. It is struggling to hold up all the events it has heaped on its shoulders. But to be fair to it, it hasn’t uttered a groan but is keeping a big smile on its face.
At the centre of it all is the Nairobi International Book Fair. All other events seem to branch out from this stem. It is in its 22nd edition, running from 26th to 30th September at the Sarit Convention Centre in Westlands. It is hosted by the Kenya Publishers Association and it is themed “Read. Apply. Freedom.” I will be doing an injustice to it trying to describe what the Fair will present to its attendees, but in a summary listed on its official poster, the event will entail: The Text Book Centre Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature Award presentation, Workshops and seminar activities, Book launches and literary debates and children activities. Highlights for book lovers would include finding their favourite reads at discounted prices as well as opportunities to meet the book’s authors.
The week has a cloud of other activities that are happening around the book fair that are a big deal for literature enthusiasts:
Africa writers chat- Tuesday 24th 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Strathmore University Student’s Centtre, 5th floor. This brings together writers from different nationalities and it is part of the activities in the Africa Writers Conference itinerary. It is hosted by the Writers Guild Kenya.
Africa writers conference- Saturday 28th at the Sarit Centre. This will be hosted by Africa Writers Development Trust. It will feature discussions on its theme “Cultural stereotypes in African Literature: Rewriting the narratives for the 21st Century Reader.” Features of this conference include a cultural night, interactive sessions, group discussions, networking, the unveiling of the winners of the 2019 African Writers Awards and much more.
Macondo Literary festival over the weekend- Friday 27th– Sunday 29th at the Kenya National Theatre. Find more about it at https://www.macondolitfest.org/ . This is another major highlight of the week as it will be bringing many “big” names together for literary discussions.
Literary Crossorads. This is hosted by the Goethe Institute. Thursday September 26th, 6-9 p.m. The hosts describe it as “The Literary Crossroads Series brings together African writers on the continent and from the diaspora to discuss contemporary trends and themes in literature. In this edition, we host two great African authors – Anne Moraa (Kenya) and Novuyo Rosa Tshuma (Zimbabwe). Both wordsmiths shall engage us in an evening of prose and poetry.”
Amka Forum –28th September 2019. Amka is a forum for upcoming writers and literary critics to share and discuss stories, poems and current literature trends with the aim of enhancing their creativity. It is held every last Saturday of the month at the Goethe Institute library.
Poetricity- A monthly poetry event- by Writers Guild Kenya- At the National Museums of Kenya Amphitheatre, 2p.m- 4p.m.
One is indeed spoilt for choice as the week presents tantalizing options and opportunities. Which one would you fancy? They present rare opportunities to meet and network with fellow creatives drawn from across the continent. For one interested in publishing, they also afford one the opportunity to engage different publishers and already published authors.
(I am pretty excited about this week because of all of the above but also because I am reporting back to school today. With my classes starting tomorrow, there are few of the listed events that I will be able to attend but I will make the most of them. Cheers! Blissful week to you 😀 )
The Young Doc 