Ikulu Stage Archives - Nairobi Litfest

Hearth as source

French-Moroccan author Leila Slimani discusses her ongoing trilogy which includes the novels, “In the Country of Others” and “Watch Us Dance”.

Tactile and analogue

An interview with James Rugami affectionately known as the “Real Vinyl Guru” and a mainstay in Kenya’s musical landscape. Mr. Rugami has run a record store in Nairobi since 1989.

Prof. Rinaldo Walcott, whose research focuses on the cultural expression of Black life will explore the importance of recovery of indigenous identities and traditional knowledge within marginalised communities to harness social, economic and cultural power.

Experiments in pedagogies

A conversation with publishers Ntone Edjabe and Billy Kahora who have adopted subversive approaches to the development of creative work across music, film, teaching and publishing.

Accessing ancestral wisdom

British-Somali poet, Momtaza Mehri and Dr. Panashe Chigumadzi, an award-winning writer and historian break down how to convert research into poetry and prose.

All the world’s a stage

Cameroonian scholar and author, Gil Ndi-Shang and award-winning Kenyan playwright, Mugambi Nthiga discuss the interconnected nature of politics and literature and the challenges and successes of using the arts to archive history.

Power of humour

Indian comedian, writer and actor, Aditi Mittaland award-winning Kenyan stand up, Ty Ngachira are no strangers to the stage. Join them for a witty and candid discussion on how stand up comedy provides audiences with tough truths and catharsis.

The injustice of being misunderstood

A journalist and memoirist discuss the power of image-making in the face of prevailing misconceptions and stereotypes about Africa.