Kwani? Attends Pan African Literary Forum

Art Moves Africa (AMA) an organization that aims to facilitate cultural and artistic exchanges within the African continent, recently sponsored a group of Kenyan writers and artists to attend the first Pan African Literary Forum (PALF) in Ghana. The forum, held in July was “a unique learning experience bringing together established and emerging writers of the African Diaspora for annual conferences of writing workshops, craft seminars, lectures, professional development, networking and cultural activities.” Think of a Pan-African version of our very own Kwani Litfest, which actually inspired the conference.

Participants spent the first week in literary workshops, readings and events and retreated to the Cape Coast for the second week. The event was run by American writer and literary academic, Jeffery Allen. The faculty included South African novelist Niq Mhlongo, Kenyan writer and Kwani? Founding Editor, Binyavanga Wainaina , Chris Mkilala, Sean Hill, Pamela Fletcher among other literary greats.

PALF participants largely came from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and the United States of America. Kenyan participants included Kwani? Managing Editor, Angela Wachuka, Kwani? Editor, Billy Kahora, Storymoja Founder and writer, Muthoni Garland, Grandmaster Masese, Shalini Gidoomal and June Wainaina, who hosted two sessions of the monthly Sunday Salon readings in Accra.She also hosts the Kwani? Sunday Salon in Nairobi which are part of the Sunday Salon family, currently showcasing in Chicago and New York City.