NBO LitFest 2024

A snapshot of the NBO LitFest 2024

The NBO LitFest 2024, brought to you by Book Bunk and the Hay Festival, was hosted in Nairobi, Kenya from June 27 – 30, 2024.

Book Bunk first hosted the virtual festival NBO LitFest, anchored in Nairobi’s public libraries with stories and ideas emerging from Nairobi and other regional spaces, in 2021. 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. They had another successful edition in 2023.

In March, Book Bunk announced that they had signed a partnership with Hay Festival Global supported by the British Council to increase their international presence and expand their audience reach.  When June came around, the festival was affected by countrywide protests Rejecting Finance Bill 2024. Organisers couldn’t have planned for a literal revolution on the streets of the country so we sympathised with them. Some events were cancelled or shuffled about while one or two of the guests also cancelled. While attendance numbers weren’t much larger than in the previous year, the star-studded guest list delivered much less than expected.

Those who attended were treated to panels, book signings, readings, masterclasses, a film screening, concerts, and more for both children and adults at the Makadara and Kaloleni libraries. On the stages were outstanding writers, journalists, thinkers, and other creative workers on the continent and in the diaspora. They included Bernardine Evaristo, Aminatta Forna, David Olusoga, Lola Shoneyin, Taiye Selasi, Richard Ali A Mutu, Shafinaaz Hassim, Djamila Ribeiro, Mshai Mwangola, Nombeko Nontshokweni, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni, Edwige-Renee Dro, Abdi Latif Dahir, Beverly Ochieng, Anyiko Owoko, Naddya Adhiambo Oluoch-Olunya, and many more. It was all masterfully conducted by Aleya Kassim.

Audience members got to interact with guests on stage or in the public area where they could buy drinks, food, crafts, books, and more. There was a carnival atmosphere where people engaged on local politics as well as on the happenings around the festival.

Here are some images from the festival courtesy of the official NBO LitFest page where you can find many more.

Bernardine Evaristo NBO LitFest masterclass
Bernardine Evaristo NBO LitFest masterclass
David Olusoga with Lola Shoneyin
David Olusoga with Lola Shoneyin
Aminatta Forna and Taiye Selasie
Aminatta Forna and Taiye Selasie
Nombeko Nontshokweni, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni,
Nombeko Nontshokweni, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni,
Richard Ali A Mutu, Wanjeri Gakuru, Nesrine Malik, and Edwige-Renee Dro
Richard Ali A Mutu, Wanjeri Gakuru, Nesrine Malik, and Edwige-Renee Dro
Djamila Ribiero
Djamila Ribiero
BBC's Beverly Ochieng and Mercy Juma
BBC’s Beverly Ochieng and Mercy Juma
Shafinaaz Hassim conducts a masterclass
Shafinaaz Hassim conducts a masterclass
Mumo Liku, Dr. Kiprop Lagat, Chidi Nwaubani, and Abdi Latif Dahir
Mumo Liku, Dr. Kiprop Lagat, Chidi Nwaubani, and Abdi Latif Dahir

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