The Macondo Literary Festival, featuring a stellar lineup of renowned African authors, is scheduled to captivate audiences from September 15 to 17.
This exciting literary gathering, orchestrated by the Macondo Book Society, will unfold its pages at the esteemed Kenya National Theatre.
The festival’s lineup boasts an impressive array of literary talents, including Aminatta Forna from Sierra Leone/UK, Leila Aboulela representing Sudan/UK, Hemley Boum hailing from Cameroon, Youssef Fadel of Morocco, Ketty Nivyabandi representing Burundi/Canada, Kalaf Epalanga bridging Angola and Germany, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi from Uganda, Masande Ntshanga of South Africa, Kossi Komla-Ebri straddling Togo and Italy, and Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor proudly representing Kenya.
The festival will kick off with an event launch on September 15th at the Kenya National Theatre.
This year’s theme seeks to unite African authors who explore various facets of African histories through their unique perspectives.
This edition of the festival builds upon the resounding success of its 2022 predecessor, themed “The Future of Memories.”
The 2022 event attracted a distinguished guest list of 12 international award-winning luminaries, including the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature laureate, Abdulrazak Gurnah from Tanzania, as well as the Booker Prize-shortlisted Somali-born novelist Nadifa Mohamed and Angolan writer José Eduardo Agualusa.
Under the banner of “Disrupting Home,” this year’s festival aspires to initiate thought-provoking dialogues and inspire audiences to reimagine the multifaceted concept of “home.”
It will encourage exploration of how these meanings can be challenged and how a deeper understanding of our collective histories can forge self-determined futures.
For those eager to participate, ticket information is as follows:
- Friday events are free with prior registration.
- Day pass (each for Saturday and Sunday): KES 800 in advance, KES 1200 at the gate.
- Weekend ticket: KES 1,400 in advance, KES 1,600 at the gate.
- Student ticket: KES 200 (student ID required, available only at the gate).
Furthermore, for those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on the Macondo YouTube channel, ensuring that literary enthusiasts from all corners can partake in this enriching literary experience.
