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 COUNTDOWN TO KWANI LITFEST 2008

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ

NAIROBI-KENYA

JULY 31, 2008

Starting tomorrow (Friday August 1) Kwani Litfest 2008 begins fifteen days
full of events. It will begin with an opening night party at the fabulous
Acapulco restaurant (hosted by Just A Band). The festival begins in earnest
mood with the discussions, writers retreats, and so much more.

August 10- 15  the Litfest decamps to Lamu, where faculty and participants
can talk shop in a more intimate, relaxed setting, and make the most of this
tropical getaway. I am privileged (Fr Omolo Ouko, AJ) to be in the team.

Kwani Litfest (KLF) is a fortnight of writerly events, culture, mingling,
discussion and inspiration. More than 40 African and international poets and
writers will appear in fifteen days of panel discussions, readings, book
launches, conversations, literary lunches, cultural tours and performances.

KLF, now in its 4th successful year, brings together thinkers and writers
from different continents and experiences to explore ideas relevant to the
burgeoning African literary scene. This year, as well as creative endeavour,
they will focus on the role of the writer in fast-changing conflict and
post-conflict situations.

As a special theme following Kenya’s post election violence, KLF will also
explore the need for new definitions, solutions and ideas. KLF also aims at
developing participants’ creative writing skills, with an emphasis on how
stories can help society to see itself more coherently.

KLF chose to visit Lamu Town due to its background and cultural sceneries.
Lamu is not only an ancient outpost of Swahili culture, but also a charming
Islamic town of narrow streets and old traditions. It is part of the large
and diverse Lamu archipelago, a series of beautiful islands. It is an easy
place to explore – foot, dhow and donkey being the main modes of transport.

KLF journey will take them around Lamu island, through the mangrove
channels, past small coastal villages to a private and picturesque spot near
Kupungani village.

There, they will stop under the shade of a huge mango tree. There will be
plenty of time to swim, explore the mangroves, fish from the dhow, climb the
large sand dunes and visit the village.

A fantastic cook will prepare a traditional Swahili dinner, and local
Giriama dancers will kick off the dancing. Price: $35 pp for dhow, food and
entertainment. Drinks not included.

There’s time for a swim off Manda, and a warming cup of Arabic coffee and
some halva (a local sweet) on board. Price: $9 including coffee and halva
Flying Packages.

All flights depart on 10th and return to Nairobi on 15th August on the Kwani
special charter. We have secured a series of rooms in historic Lamu houses
and guest houses at a very friendly rates for our literature lovers.

Rooms will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. As these prices
are exceedingly reasonable for peak season period you are strongly advised
to book your space early.

Package

Price for flight and 5 nights accommodation

Flight and ensuite bathroom

Flight and shared bathroom

Flight and luxe room with A/C and access to pool

Flight and ensuite room with sea view

Flight and budget room shared bathroom

USD 560

USD 520

USD 650

USD 550

USD 465

Women are advised to take note that Lamu is a conservative society. Exposing
too much flesh will result in someone asking you to cover up. For this
reason women are asked to wear trousers/long skirts, and long sleeved shirts
as much as possible.

It is also to draw to your attention that Lamu is essentially in which
alcohol is frowned upon. There are some bars on the island and we too will
be taking alcohol with us for consumption. Please be discreet and make sure
you don’t offend the local population with drunken exploits.

You are also advisable to drink bottled water.  Also be sparing with washing
water, as it is a scarce commodity in Lamu.

Bargaining is an essential part of Lamu transactions, and a part of social
convention. You are therefore advised to practise those skills when
purchasing items, or negotiating for transport of the boat or donkey
variety.

Please ensure you take cash to Lamu. There is one semi functioning
cashpoint, credit cards are rarely accepted and cash is the only way to pay.
Mosquito repellent is advised in Lamu. Please bring some with you, or cover
up to limit bites.

The henna paint used to do tattoos is very strong and often results in
indelible stains on bedroom sheets. Please be careful to wash off the henna
to avoid having to purchase your newly dyed sheets.

Don’t be afraid to ask directions. Often someone will offer to accompany you
to your destination if you are wondering the streets looking lost. This is
normal.

The Lamu people are a friendly and welcoming people and a visit to a home in
Lamu to meet a local family, and spend some time in a traditional Swahili
home can be arranged. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience life as
it is lived within the walls of the island’s famous historical houses.

The families you visit with will be more than happy to explain to you the
traditions and daily routines of life in Lamu. You may help out the children
with their school work, visit the mosque, or assist with the preparation of
food.

These visits often involve taking a traditional Swahili meal with the
family. This is the best way to sample this unique cuisine, which makes
loving use of herbs and spices introduced long ago from Arabia, India and
the far East, with sea food being especially good.

Lamu is also well known for another art. Its local Henna artists, who paint
the hands of feet of local women with elaborate traditional designs for
special ceremonies or just for decorative purposes. This is considered a
fine art and attractively painted hands and feet are a great mark of beauty.

The Henna used stains the skin, and washes away after several days. Women
can have their hands and feet painted in a number of shops in old town.

Litfest 2008 Timetable
       
Event

Faculty

Venue

Price

Day I
Friday August 1st, 2008
       
10am – 4pm

Spoken Word Workshop

Various

Storymoja Office

Ksh. 4,000 for all days or Ksh. 1,000 per day

10am – 5pm

Blogging 101.

How to set up your blog, chose your subjects, deal with comments, make posts
interesting and get your blog to stand out among the millions added daily to
the internet. Successful bloggers tell all.

Dipesh Pabari, Daudi Were

Braeburn School, Gitanga Road

1900/=

8.30pm

Litfest Opening Party

Performers, readings and launch followed electro genius’s JustaBand. DJ
Ugo’s Electropulco will take us into the early hours.

n/a

Acapulco

Ksh. 200

DAY II
Saturday August 2nd, 2008
       
10am – 4pm

Spoken Word Workshop

Various

Storymoja Office

Ksh. 1,000

All day

Magfest

Various

Karen Blixen Coffee Garden

TBC

10am – 2pm

MAGFEST WORKSHOP -Writing for Magazines
A study of movement, creativity and crafting pieces for lifestyle magazines.
Focusing on travel, profiles, releasing creativity to deadline and the
essentials of crafting a magazine piece, this insightful workshop will
provide you with the necessary tools to produce strong readable copy.

Binyavanga Wainaina, Yvonne Owour

Karen Blixen Coffee Garden

1900/=

3pm

MAGFEST – Talk
Talks on the state of publishing, getting your work published.

Zahid Rajan of Awaaz
Prof. Wanjohi of Wajibu
David Makali of Expression Today and East Africa Magazines

Karen Blixen Coffee Garden

FREE

5.30pm

Dayo Forster Presents: Finding your Voice
The writing process and how you achieve your authentic voice on the page.
Using examples of many writers work, Dayo Forster explores how to sound your
best in your writing.

Dayo Forster

Karen Blixen Coffee Garden

Ksh. 300

All day

Manuscript Doctors
Get your work assessed by a published author in a one to one session.

Various

By appointment only

Ksh. 10,000 per hour

DAY III
Sunday August 3rd, 2008
       
10am – 4pm

Spoken Word Workshop

Various

Storymoja Office

Ksh. 1,000

10am – 4pm

Yoga and Writing

Vinaya Pinto and Shalini Gidoomal

TBC

TBC

From 12 noon

Crafting Stories for Kids
Stanley Gazemba launches and reads from Swahili translation of Unlikely
Burden.

Mediae Trust Talk
How to turn a kid’s story into film.

John Sibi Okumu Book Launch of Tom Mboya Book.

Stanley Gazemba, John Sibi Okumu + others

Kabete Junior Academy; Click HERE
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/sukumakenya/2714665558/>  for map

500/= adults, 250/= children

Prices include lunch
Bouncy castle and games in kids play area
First 50 people will get a free book.

7.00 pm

Litfest Sunday Salon

Stanley Gazemba, David Kaiza, Billy Kahora, Kalundi Serumaga, Rasna Warah

Kengele’s Lavington

Ksh. 300.00

DAY IV
Monday August 4th, 2008
       
9.30 am – 1.30 pm

5 Day Workshops
including Starting to Write, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Journalism, Crime Writing

Various

Club Undecided

Ksh. 900 per day incl lunch and tea

Concessions available

6.00pm

Book club with Storymoja

Doreen Baingana

Book First – Nakumatt Lifestyle

Ksh. 200 for non members

8.00pm

Film Night

n/a

Club Undecided

tbc

DAY V
Tuesday August 5th, 2008
       
9.30 am – 1.30 pm

5 Day Workshops
including Starting to Write, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Journalism, Crime Writing

Various

Club Undecided

Ksh. 900 per day incl lunch and tea

Concessions available

10am – 4pm

Spoken Word Workshop

Various

Storymoja Office

Ksh. 1,000

Afternoon

Excursion – Maasai Market

n/a

Maasai Market

n/a

7.00 pm

Kwani Litfest Spoken WordPoetry slam, poetry anthology launch, book signing,
party

n/a

Club Soundd

Ksh. 100

DAY VI
Wednesday August 6th, 2008

       
9.30 am – 1.30 pm

5 Day Workshops
including Starting to Write, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Journalism, Crime Writing

Various

Club Undecided

Ksh. 900 per day incl lunch and tea

Concessions available
3pm

Reading in Kangemi and Total tree planting

Stanley Gazemba

Kangemi, WESCO Centre (next to St.Joseph’s)

TBC
DAY VII
Thursday August 7th, 2008

       
9.30 am – 1.30 pm

5 Day Workshops
including Starting to Write, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Journalism, Crime Writing

Various

Club Undecided

Ksh. 900 per day incl lunch and tea

Concessions available
2.30pm

University of Nairobi debate

Chimamanda Adichie, Ismael Beah, Kalundi Serumaga, Simlyu Barasa

TBC

Free
7.00pm

Opening of Kibera Film Night
Screenings: Mohinder Dhillon, Knifegrinder’s Tale, Kibera Kid

Ismael Beah and Rannenberger

TBC

Free
7.00pm

Cut off My Tongue
A gala evening of Poetry at the National Theatre

Various

National Theatre

TBC
DAY VIII
Friday August 8th, 2008

       
9.30 am – 1.30 pm

5 Day Workshops
including Starting to Write, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Journalism, Crime Writing

Various

Club Undecided

Ksh. 900 per day incl lunch and tea

Concessions available
2.00pm – 6.00pm

Revisioning Kenya
Visionaries and innovators speak out on ways to uplift Kenya

Revisioning Kenya Faculty

Ramoma

Ksh. 1900/= or Ksh. 3,500/= incl. dinner (see below), and book
Concessions Available
Evening

Revisioning Kenya and Authors in Conversation

Doreen Baingana, Ishmael Beah, Chimamanda Adichie Aminatta Forna et al

Kifaru Garden, Kanjata Road

Ksh 1,900
includes food, welcome drink and a book
DAY IX
Saturday August 9th, 2008

       
1:30am – 1:30pm

All things Theater

John Sibi-Okumu, Alakie Mboya, Keith Pearson, Eliud Abuto and Cajetan Boy

Kenya National Theatre

Free
2:30pm

Eric Wainaina’s musical “Lwanda”

n/a

Kenya National Theatre

Free
DAY X
Sunday August 10th, 2008

Litfest Leaves for Lamu

 <http://www.kwanilitfest.com> http://www.kwanilitfest.com/

Kwani Litfest 2008

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

E-Mail ppa@africaonline.co.ke
Tel 254-20-4441372
    Website : www.peopleforpeaceinafrica.org

– – –
Date:  Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:47:42 +0300
From:  PEOPLE FOR PEACE IN AFRICA <ppa@africaonline.co.ke>
Subject:   Regional News