PRESS RELEASE-BABISHAI POETRY FESTIVAL, 26 TO 28 AUGUST 2015

PRESS RELEASE

7 JULY 2015

Poetry Festival to paint Kampala lyrically, August 26 to 28, at The Uganda Museum

Babishai Poetry Festival, organized by the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation that coordinates the annual BN Poetry Award, is here, bigger and bolder. From August 26-28, at The Uganda Museum, Kampala’s not-to-miss poetry series of activity, shall bring together literary enthusiasts, budding and published, novice and established poets and lovers of the greater art of literature, from all over the world, to the Uganda Museum in Kampala, for a cocktail of stimulating events.

Each of the program items is tailored to suit the different spheres of influence in the poetry world and society in general. We shall for instance kick off with a visit to vulnerable groups of writers and then a Master-class at The Uganda Museum followed by book-signing.

Poetry in Session, a signature poetry platform in Kampala will also feature at the festival on day one alongside book signing at Goethe-Zentrum, Bukoto Street, a suburb that gives a tranquil romantic touch to a high energy session hosted by Roshan Karmali. There will be performances by the outstanding and celebrated, Kenya’s Fatuma’s Voice and Spoken Word Kenya.

Enter the Kampala Poetry Anthology on 27^th August. At 6:00pm, we shall launch this anthology in a discussion hosted by Jalada Africa. The Kampala Poetry Anthology brings you some of the most thought provoking and scintillating verse across the socio-political divide on the theme of Kampala City.

Over the last two years, Babishai Poetry Foundation has devoted immense time, effort and resources to Babishai Poetricks, a fresh idea for children, that seeks to take poetry to the next level and elevate the conversation of poetry across the country and continent’s demographic divide.  On the final day, we’ll be announcing the BN Poetry Award 2015 winner at The Uganda Museum main hall.

Director Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva says,

“This year, we are honoured to host world-wide leading voices in poetry and to share the landscape with impressive and mind-blowing talent across Uganda.”

Collaborative partners are Femrite, Sooo many stories, Jalada Africa, Fatuma's Voice, Poetry-in-session, Lawino Magazine, Poetry-potion, Storymoja, Malaika Educare, House of Talent, The Uganda Museum, Uganda Travel Bureau, Star Creations, Goethe Zentrum Kampala, Parrésia Publishers, Novel Concepts, Tontoma Poetry Session, and Gayaza Alumnae Network.

“This win has increased my faith in writing because of its high standards,” Tom Jalio from Kenya, 2014 winner of the BN Poetry Award.

 Contact information:

Email:                   bnpoetryaward@bnpoetryaward.co.ug

Tel:                        +256 751 703226

Twitter:                @BNPoetryAward

This festival is financially supported by Stichting Doen and Gilgal Media Arts.