Hearth as source Ikulu Stage Sun, 29th June3:45pm – 4:45pm Panellist: Leila Slimani (MAR) Moderator: Mukami Kowino French-Moroccan author Leila Slimani discusses her ongoing trilogy which includes the novels, “In the Country of Others” and “Watch Us Dance”. Set in Morocco, the books tell the complex, multigenerational story of the Belhaj family; facets of which are borrowed from the author’s real-life family members. With programming support from The French Embassy in Kenya & Alliance Française de Nairobi. Buy Ticket Share

Tactile and analogue Ikulu Stage Sun, 28th June2:30pm – 3:30pm Panellist: James Rugami Moderator: Ras Mengesha 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. Buy Ticket Share

Reversing cultural erosion Ikulu Stage Sun, 29th June1:15pm – 2:15pm Panellists: Prof. Rinaldo Walcott Moderator: Mohamed Amin Abdishukri 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. With the support of the Ford Foundation-Malunga: Network for Global Justice Buy Ticket Share

Experiments in pedagogies Ikulu Stage Sun, 29th June1:00pm – 2:00pm Panellists: Ntone Edjabe, Billy Kahora Moderator: Augustin Trapenard 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. Buy Ticket Share

Accessing ancestral wisdom Ikulu Stage Sat, 28th June3:45pm – 4:45pm Panellists: Momtaza Mehri, Panashe Chigumadzi Moderator: Carol Oyola 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. Momtaza Mehri is a former Young People’s Poet Laureate for London and works across criticism, translation, anti-disciplinary research practices, education and radio. Dr. Panashe Chigumadzi draws from black studies, settler colonial studies, and indigenous studies. She is the author of “These Bones Will Rise Again” (2018), a historical memoir reflecting on Zimbabwe’s 2017 coup and several dissertations. Supported by the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025. Buy Ticket Share

All the world’s a stage Ikulu Stage Sat, 28th June2:30pm – 3:30pm Panellists: Mugambi Nthiga, Gil Ndi-Shang Moderator: Kui Kabala 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. Supported by the Ford Foundation-Malunga: Network for Global Justice Buy Ticket Share

Power of humour Ikulu Stage Sat, 28th June1:15pm – 2:15pm Panellists: Aditi Mittal, Ty Ngachira 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. With the support of Open Society Foundations, South to North series Buy Ticket Share

The injustice of being misunderstood Ikulu Stage Sat, 28th June12:00pm – 1:00pm Panellists: Dipo Faloyin x Sani Ladan Moderators: Nyambura Mutanyi A journalist and memoirist discuss the power of image-making in the face of prevailing misconceptions and stereotypes about Africa. Dipo Faloyin is a journalist and the author of “Africa Is Not a Country”. Cameroonian author and human right activist, Sani Ladan’s book “La luna está en Duala: Y mi destino en el conocimiento” (The Moon Is in Duala: And My Destiny, in Knowledge) outlines his experience with migration and geopolitics. Supported by of AC/E, Acción Cultural Española Buy Ticket Share