The busiest week in Kenyan literature in 2019 is upon us with the Nairobi International Book Fair 2019, Macondo Literary Festival 2019, the African Writers Conference 2019, and other events lined up.
The Kenyan cultural scene can be very interesting. There are very few events as the year begins while people recover from massive celebrations in the previous year and the stresses of surviving the lean first few months. Everything then starts piling up as Nairobi residents end the year with a bang. The Kenyan literary community is no different; this week has many amazing events that have bibliophiles’ heads spinning trying to keep up. Here is a rundown of some of the events that you want to check out.
Tuesday, September 25, 2019.
Event: Writers Mingle: The African Experience
Venue: Student’s Centre, Strathmore University.
Time: 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
Organised by the African Writers Development Trust and Writers Guild of Kenya, audiences get to interact with writers from different African countries.
Event: Presidential or Parliamentary Democracy by P. Anyang Nyong’o book launch:
Venue: University of Nairobi
Time: 5-8pm.
Anyang Nyong’o’s Presidential or Parliamentary Democracy launches. The event brought to you by Booktalk Africa and the University of Nairobi includes a Public Lecture by Raila Amolo Odinga. Details here.
Wednesday, September 26, 2019.
Event: Artistic Encounters
Venue: Goethe-Institut
Time: 6-8pm
Sitawa Namwalie and Athieno are the featured artists for Artistic Encounters at the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi on September 25, 2019. Their show will be followed by a Q&A moderated by book blogger James Murua. Details here.
Thursday, September 27, 2019.
Event: Nairobi International Book Fair 2019 opening ceremony
Venue: Sarit Centre
Time: 10am – 1pm.
The Nairobi International Book Fair 2019 is the longest-running publishing event in the region. The fair which turns 22 this year starts trading on September 25 and officially kicks off on September 26, 2019.
Event: Meet The Author – Novuyo Rosa Tshuma with Bookish People and Text Book Centre.
Venue: Text Book Centre at the Sarit Centre.
Time: 3-5pm
Event: Literary Crossroads – Novuyo Rosa Tshuma with Anne Moraa
Venue: Goethe-Institut
Time: 6-8pm
Details for the above two events.
Friday
Event: Macondo Literary Festival kicks off
Venue: Kenya National Theatre
Time: 4:30pm
The Macondo Literary Festival hosted by the Macondo Book Society features writers from Portuguese and English speaking Africa, for conversations, debates, readings on African histories and much more. Full program here.
Event: Nairobi International Book Fair 2019 continues
Venue: Sarit Centre
Time: All day.
Saturday
Event: Text Book Centre Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature 2019 announced
Venue: Pride Inn, Westlands.
Time: 6:30pm.
Invite only.
Event: African Writers Conference 2019 includes African Writers Awards 2019.
Venue: Sarit Centre
Time: All Day.
Event: Nairobi International Book Fair 2019 continues
Venue: Sarit Centre
Time: All day.
Event: Macondo Literary Festival 2019 continues
Venue: Kenya National Theatre
Time: All day.
Full program here.
Sunday
Event: Nairobi International Book Fair 2019 continues
Venue: Sarit Centre
Time: All day.
Event: Macondo Literary Festival 2019 continues
Venue: Kenya National Theatre
Time: All day.
Full program here.
