The NBO LitFest 2023, organised by Book Bunk, was hosted in venues in Nairobi from August 25 – 27, 2023. Here is a snapshot of events in the Kenyan capital.
In 2021 Nairobi-based Book Bunk hosted NBO LitFest, a virtual festival anchored in Nairobi’s public libraries with stories and ideas emerging from Nairobi and other regional spaces. Designed as a celebration of public libraries as spaces for art, culture, and knowledge production, it featured virtual concerts, live storytelling, and writers in conversation. The team hosted the second edition of the festival, the first physical one, in August.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was hosted at the MacMillan Library, Nairobi on Thursday, August 24. It was one of the best events in the literary calendar this year with writers mingling in with musicians, visual artists, corporate executives, bibliophiles, and everyone in between. It was an evening of camaraderie with people chatting with good food and drinks and a really chilled atmosphere.
A literary highlight was an author chat with legendary writer John Kiriamiti, Kenyans will recognise him for the famous memoir My Life In Crime, in conversation with Wanjeri Gakuru. In the chat, he spoke about his life first as a student at one of the most prestigious schools in the country and how he ended up on the streets. It was on the streets that he started moving up the ladder in the criminal world where he ended up holding up banks and then in the slammer. From here, he wrote about his personal experiences in Kenya’s criminal underworld.
There were also speeches from Angela Wachuka and Maryanne Wamuyu both from the Book Bunk organisation. There were poetry performances by Teardrops and Lebo Mashile as well as a musical performance by Ambasa Mandela who was joined by legendary musician Juliani.
Apart from the performances, guests were treated to a photographical exhibition of young men and women who were trained by photographer Paul Munene.
Rest of the festival
The rest of the festival, primarily emceed by Patricia Kihoro and Nyokabi Macharia, was hosted at the Eastlands Library in the East of the city. The former was as usual familiar with the happenings while the latter was off the step, mispronouncing names and making quips that had people rolling eyes. In spite of this, they steered us through the Wanjeri Gakuru-curated festival which I have to say was in a word, genius. The thought taken into the sessions was up there with some of the best we have seen in many of the leading festivals on the continent. Also doing an amazing job all through the events were friendly team of staff and volunteers that made the experience memorable.
Here are some of the highlights;
Children’s Festival
There were events that were specifically aimed at younger readers such as a storytelling session conducted by popular trio LAM Sisterhood. Also on offer was an interactive reading session with Polycarp Otieno and Shiko Nguru as well as a guided tour of the historical McMillan Memorial Library curated for kids and an exciting LEGO playtime session. Wangari The Storyteller also gave a special story writing class for children.
Readings
There were readings by writers like Lucky Girl by Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu, My Life in Crime by John Kiriamiti, Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad by Damilare Kuku, and Ujanajike by Dotto Daudi Rangimoto.
Panels
There were several panels with leading writers, academics, musicians, thinkers, and others chatting either with one another or with moderation. One of these was “Translating Pain into Poetry” moderated by Wanjeri Gakuru featured Sitawa Namwalie, Alexis Teyie, and Teardrops. There was also “Alternative Pages: Words & Pictures” moderated by Edith Kimani with Chief Nyamweya, April Kamunde, Bankslave. There was also “The City as Muse” hosted by Zukiswa Wanner that featured Damilare Kuku, Kevin Mwachiro, and Linda Musita as well as Out of Darkness, Shining Light with Petina Gappah discussing her novel with James Murua.
Also, at the festival was “Championing Culture” hosted by Dr Joyce Nyairo featuring Lebo Mashile, Ngala Chome, and Wairimũ Nduba. Another panel was “Today’s Troubadours” moderated by Christine Mungai featuring Sanaipei Tande, Juliani, and Scar Mkadinali. The Beverly Ochieng-moderated “Africa’s New Fiction Voices” had Dotto Rangimoto and Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu.
A huge highlight was the Tribute Series honouring late literary giants Micere Mugo, Ama Ata Aidoo, Keorapetse Kgositsile, and Ken Walibora. The tributes were delivered by Sitawa Namwalie, Lola Shoneyin, Njuki Githethwa, and Lebo Mashile. Another highlight was “A Palace for The People” where Book Bunk Founders Angela Wachuka and Wanjiru Koinange hosted a special live edition of their podcast, A Palace for The People.
Performances
The Saturday evening was a special occasion as attendees were treated to both poetry and musical performances. It started with the “Night of Spoken Word” where they were enthralled by the poetry by among others Lebo Mashile, Lola Shoneyin, Teardrops, Nyash, Slim Shaka, Alexis Teyie, and Ngwatilo Mawiyoo. This was followed by live music from Fena, King Kaka, and H_art The Band.
Watch the whole festival on YouTube here;
Saturday
Sunday
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