East African Poetry Platter for Kisumu
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- May 23, 2023
Kisumu will play host to an array of poetic stars on Saturday, 27th May 2023, at the Sarova Imperial Hotel in an evening dubbed the East African Poetic Hour Battle. The event, organized by Talent Industry Limited, will start at 6 pm and to drop the curtains by 10 pm.
Art is a vital ingredient of societal identity, beliefs, and aspirations. Art, as they say, imitates life and shapes it too. In this vein, this spoken word event’s theme is To Spark Conversations On Poetry As A Tool Of Promoting Collective Identity In East Africa. There will be contestants from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the D.R. Congo.
The poets, 15 in number, lined up for the annual show is an impressive and diverse list of notable names around the East African poetry scene, each bringing unique individual style, strengths, and stature on board. Some will wow with their words, spark grins and giggles; others provoke brutal thoughts, one may yet elicit painful reflections, and some may receive standing ovations. The night will have it all on offer when such a diverse, talented, and fiercely driven roster shares one stage for a call they believe in.
The 15 battlers going head-to-head are:
Amoko Dennis from South Sudan, Bene3 The Poet from Nairobi, Kenya; Brandy Arinitwe, Diego The Dark Child, The Ugandan based Congolese Hudda Ojalia, Keith Malenga, Keith Muganza from Uganda; Manro from Rwanda; Kenyan Mayuu Sanaa, Maisy Fidence Odalo (Order-Low The Poet), Oyamo Richard Oyamo, Priest The Poet, Sarah Olexa, Sugu Vudu, and Wangui Kimathi.
A formidable lineup by any standards.
East Africa as a region is progressing steadily with its unification dream, evidenced by things we already see in use, like a single passport. Currently, talk is rife about a single, common currency, and just the other day, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania placed a bid with CAF to host the 2027 AFCON football tournament.
Platforms such as the arts are a part of this journey to oneness.
#TwendeMashiriki, the poetic night’s tag on the socials, underlines this fact and acts as a rallying call for us to embrace our region. We are going to East Africa.
The poetic hour has had many partners come on board to make it a reality, from government bodies to private sector players. The partners are the County Government of Kisumu, Baraza Medilab, KMET, AAR, Crowdol, Urban Radio, Kiri Consultants, Tembea Kisumu, Naweza Films, Vik Media, Ulopa Travels and the host Sarova Imperial Hotel, Kisumu.
The stage is set, and players are ready with their bullet pens, silver tongues and all; all that remains is for you to diarize the dates and grab a ticket for a treat of witty words, showmanship, and a good feel of being part of a great course and a dazzling evening. Twende Mashariki!
For 500 Kenyan shillings, you will share their ideas and artistry and show them in the common area. For 2,000 Kenyan shillings, you get the VIP area and 10,000 shillings for corporate spaces. You can make any inquiries through the cell phone number 0700351181.
