Macondo Literary Festival 2022 Unveiled

The program for the Macondo Literary Festival 2022 which happens in Nairobi, Kenya from September 30 – October 2, 2022, has been announced. Tickets can be bought by clicking here.

The Macondo Literary Festival was first hosted by the Macondo Book Society, founded by author Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor and journalist Anja Bengelstorff, in Nairobi in 2019. The festival name comes from “Macondo,” the fictional place where magical things happen in the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude by Colombian Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Márquez. Read our reporting of the event by clicking here.

The second edition of the festival, with the theme “The Future of Memories,” will be running at the Kenya National Theatre from September 28. On Sunday, the team shared the festival program starting with the opening ceremony on Friday, September 28 with two roundtables with guest artists and readings from works of guest authors by the orature collective with Aleya Kassam and Mshai Mwangola.

Also happening on the first day are the following three workshops which still have slots (apply by clicking here);

1) Caricaturing History with GADO.

Caricaturing History with GADO

Learn to use historical context as a tool to become a better cartoonist and political history to demonstrate a point. For professional and amateur cartoonists as well as students of arts/ journalism/media who wish to become satirical writers, animators, illustrators, or comic artists.

2) History in Poetry with Senegalese poet and scholar Sylvie Kandé.

History in Poetry with Senegalese poet and scholar Sylvie Kandé.

Examine the complex dynamics at play between two fields, poetry and history, that are often perceived as polar opposites. Sylvie will encourage you to write a short piece at the end. Sign up by September 10.

3) Writing One’s Memoir with novelist and activist Patrice Nganang.

Writing One's Memoir with novelist and activist Patrice Nganang.

He is currently writing his memoir and invites YOU to join him and to go on your own journey.

For the other days, panels, book readings and launches, poetry recitals, and loads more are prepared for festival attendees. Those who attend will get an opportunity to interact with among others Nadifa Mohamed, José Eduardo Agualusa, Petina Gappah, Patrice Nganang, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, Mia Couto, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Hafsa Zayyam, Abdulai Sila, Naivo, Yara Monteiro, Melisa Alela, Wanuri Kahiu, Rachael Diang’a, Mshai Mwangola, Aleya Kassam, Abdi Latif Dahir, Gloria Mwaniga, Dennis Mugaa, Khadija Abdalla Bajaber, Lucy Mulli, and Sylvie Kande.

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Check out the festival program by clicking here or looking at the below image;

Macondo Literary Festival 2022 program
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