FEMRITE’s Week of Literary Activities starts today, October 26.

FEMRITE, the Ugandan literary advocacy organization, has a week of literary activities running from October 26 – 31, 2020.

FEMRITE , the Uganda Women Writers’ Association, is a literary advocacy group that focuses on developing and publishing women writers in Uganda and the East African region. The Kampala, Uganda-based outfit founded in 1995 organises training for, events for and publishes many of Uganda’s leading women writers.

The organization has announced that it will be hosting a week of literary events starting today. The main theme, Literary Arts and the Unfolding World, which is inspired by; The COVID-19 situation which has driven many artists into very complicated livelihood situations, The knowledge and content gaps in the policy and practice in the sector, and the technological gaps most artists grapple with on a daily basis. Sub-themes of focus will include; ARTS/Money/Livelihood and the Economies of the Creative Sector, Writing/Lifestyle and Social Impact, Memoir Writing and Leadership, Cultural preservation through Storytelling and Poetry and the Public Voice.

The Week is curated with the aim of celebrating some of the key writers and artists and their works while at the same time generating useful and relevant information for arts practice and policy formulation, towards sector growth and development. A report covering the week’s conversations will be compiled and presented to relevant spaces.

Here are the events happening on online platforms. Zoom links shall be share each day.

Day 1: Monday, October 26

For the Zoom link click here. Alternatively, use Meeting ID: 334 019 7106, Passcode: FEMRITE

3.30 to 4.30

Theme – Literary Arts and the Unfolding World

Keynote Address

Dr. Wale Okediran the director of Ebedi Residence, and Secretary-General of the Pan-African Writers Association

4.30 – 6.00 pm

Panel discussion        

• Dr Ali Tucker – Chair, Board of Directors, Women’s Wisdom Art, USA, ·
• Isaac Tibasiima – Dept. of Literature, Makerere University ·
• Doreen Baingana – Director, Mawazo Africa Writing Institute ·
• Donald Molosi – an Actor and Writer from Botswana.

Day 2: Tuesday, 27th October

4.00 – 6.00 pm

High Level Panel Discussion

ARTS/Money/Livelihood and the Economies of the Creative Sector Session Chair Charles Batambuze – the Director of Uganda Reproduction Rights Organisation and The National Book Trust of Uganda. Panelists; ·

• Oscar Ranzo – Director, Oasis Books ·
• Jackee Batanda – Founder and Senior Managing Partner, SuccessSpark Brand Ltd ·
• Carly Van Orman – Cultural Affairs Officer, U.S. Mission Kampala ·
• Teesa Bahana – Director 32° East Ugandan Arts Trust ·
• Juliana Akoryo – Commissioner, Culture & Family Affairs, MoGLSD ·
• Michael Neff – Editor and Publisher, Del Sol Press, USA

Day 3: Wednesday 28th Oct

4.00- 6.00 pm

Women Writers in Conversation: Writing, Lifestyle, and social Impact chaired by Zukiswa Wanner, The first African woman recipient of the Goethe Medaille.

Panelists ·

• Nana Darkoa – Writer and Co-founder of Award-winning website – Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women.
• Goretti Kyomuhendo – Director, African Writers Trust.
• Davinah Kawuma – Writer of fiction and poetry for children and adults.
• Monica Cheru – Board of Chair Zimbabwe Writers Association.

Day 4:  Thursday 29th October 2020

2:00-4:00pm

Master class

Making your poetry stand out. This will be facilitated by Harriet Anena – The joint winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa 2018. 4:00-6.00pm

Panel discussion

Memoir Writing and Leadership, moderated by Jocelyn Ekochu, author of Shockwaves Across the Ocean.

Panelists ·

• Judy Kamanyi – Woman activist and author
• Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa – Ugandan Writer and Storyteller
• Danson Kahyana – Senior Lecture, Dept. of Literature Makerere University
• Regina Asinde – Writer and Chairperson of FEMRITE 6:00pm

Book Launches

• Invisible Traumas – FEMRITE
• Living in the Moment – Judy Kamanyi
• Emboldened – Sarah Ntiro

Friday Day 5: 30th October 2020

11:00-01:00pm.

Master class

Skills of Storytelling facilitated by Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa.

4:00-6:00pm:

Storytelling session

Chaired by Betty Kaigo Featuring ·

• Ariel Mendez – Children’s writer, USA ·
• Rosey Sembatya Malaika Children’s Library ·
• Philomena Nabweru Ugandan Storyteller ·
• Walabyeki Magoba- Children’s writer

6:00-8:00pm:

Master class

Faction – Our Stories of COVID-19 facilitated by Doreen Baingana

Day 6: Saturday: 31st October 2020,

Theme; Poetry and the public Voice

3:00-4:00pm:

Keynote address

Mwalimu Austin Bukenya

4:00-5.30pm

Panel Discussion

Poetry and the public Voice, moderated by Jacob K Mwine-Kyarimpa

Panelists ·

• Harriet Anena Ugandan Writer and Joint winner of Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature ·
• Peter Kagayi – Author of The Headlines that Morning ·
• Bigoa Chol – Writer from South Sudan ·
• Nii Ayikwei Parkes – Poet and Author of Tail of the Blue Bird 5:30-7:30pm; Poetry Performance from poets of different poetry initiatives, moderated by Daphine Arinda.

5:30-7:30pm;

Poetry Performance from poets of different poetry initiatives, moderated by Daphine Arinda.