Commonwealth Writers at Storymoja Festival
Commonwealth Writers inspires, develops and connects writers and storytellers in a range of disciplines. It builds communities of less-heard voices and links them to groups which seek to bring about social change.
As part of its global partnership with Hay Festival, Commonwealth Writers will be at the 2013 Storymoja Festival in Nairobi from 19 – 22 September for a four day celebration of stories and contemporary culture at Nairobi National Museum, Museum Hill.
Short Story Surgery
Friday 20 September, 12 noon, Shidas Tent
Join Alexander Ikawah (Kenya) and Dilman Dila (Uganda) who were both shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2013 in this short story surgery to discuss the short stories you may want to enter for the 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.
The Commonwealth Writers Conversation
The Untold Story
Saturday 21 September, 1pm, Ford Hall
The first in a global series of conversations invites writers, artists and thinkers to discuss the subjects and themes that are sometimes met with silence in societies around the world. This is the place to talk about how to communicate the difficult and the unsayable, whether through words or other forms of expression. Panelists include Chief Nyamweya and Keguro Macharia.
Queer Life Stories – New Year’s Eve (film screening and Q & A)
Wanjiru Kairu, Eric Gitari and Anthony Oluoch
Saturday 21 September, 5pm, Discovery Hall
The Kenyan premiere screening of the Commonwealth Short Film ‘New Year’s Eve’ is followed by a Q & A with filmmaker Wanjiru Kairu.
Eric Gitari, the co-founder of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and Anthony Oluoch, previous Executive Director of Gay Kenya Trust and Regional Director of Kaleidoscope join the discussion about queer life stories.
In partnership with Commonwealth Writers and The Canadian High Commission.
Kwani? Sunday Salon
Alexander Ikawah, Dilman Dila, Temo Buliro, Stanley Gazemba and Tomothy Kimutai.
Sunday 22 September, 7pm, Museum Courtyard
In 2007, a transatlantic connection established Sunday Salon Nairobi. This special edition of Sunday Salon celebrates readings and conversations with five East African Writers who have set the region abuzz.
Alexander Ikawah and Dilman Dila were shortlisted for the 2013 Commonwealth Short Story Prize and Temo Buliro is a Jomo Kenyatta Literature Prize Winner. Stanley Gazemba was shortlisted and Timothy Kimutai won the Kwani? Manuscript Prize.