SPECIAL CALL FOR UGANDAN WOMEN POETS-#BABISHAI2016 POETRY FESTIVAL

Are you a Ugandan female poet brimming with poetry and verse? Are you ready to take your poetry from the page to the stage? Then join us for the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival from 24-26 August 2016, under the theme, Abundance: Poetry From Contemporary Africa.

Paula Biraaro receiving her prize in 2012. Photo by Buyondo

We invite you to showcase your work by:-

Ø  Launching your poetry collection

Ø  Performing your poems

Ø  Attending a poetry master class or monologue

Ø  Participating in a poetry dialogue or silent poetry or

Ø  Showcasing children's poetry or poetography

We accept poetry in Lumasaaba, Luo, Luganda, Runyankore and any other Ugandan language.

During the three-day festival, we will also have new and older Ugandan and international poets and artistes performing, holding open mics and children’s poetry sessions. 

Eligibility:-

If you are a Ugandan female poet, send us the following:-

v  A one-page summary of what you propose to showcase (as MS Word attachment)

v  A 500-word bio (as MS Word attachment)

v  A recent passport photograph (in jpeg or GIFF)

v  Links to your previous work

All works should be sent to babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

DEADLINE: Monday, 8 February 2016.

Successful poets will be notified on Monday, 4 April 2016

We look forward to CELEBRATING #Babishai2016 with you

For inquiries, contact: 

Harriet Anena: +256781412975 

Prior to the festival, from June 10^th to 13th 2016, we will hold a poetry session at The Foothills of The Mountains of The Moon. Find details here: http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.ug/2015/10/babishai-poetry-on-mountain-10-to-13.html 

#BABISHAI2016 CELEBRATES #LAWINO@50, 24-26 AUGUST 2016

#BABISHAI2016    #LAWINO@5O

 Are you filled with the potency, cultural significance and shrewdness of Okot p’ Bitek’s Song of Lawino? Then join us for the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival from 24-26 August 2016 in Kampala. This is an open call.

Courtesy photo

Under the special theme, #LAWINO@50, we invite you to showcase your work by:-

Ø  Performing your poems on the theme of @Lawino@50

Ø  Attending ding or holding a poetry master class or monologue

Ø  Participating in a poetry dialogue or silent poetry or

Ø  Showcasing children's poetry or poetography
--  Presenting a critical paper for discussion

We accept poetry in Acholi, Langi, Alur, Lumasaaba, Luganda, Runyankore and any language, you please. We want to hear from you and celebrate with you.

During the three-day festival, we will also have new and older Ugandan and international poets and artistes performing, holding open mics and children’s poetry sessions. 

Eligibility

It's an open call.

v  A one-page summary of what you propose to showcase (as MS Word attachment)

v  A 500-word bio (as MS Word attachment)

v  A recent passport photograph (in jpeg or GIFF)

v  Links to your previous work

All works and inquiries should be sent to babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

DEADLINE: Monday, 8 February 2016.

Successful poets will be notified on Monday, 4 April 2016

Prior to the festival,  we will hold a poetry session at The Foothills of The Mountains of The Moon from June 10^th to 13th 2016. Find details here: http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.ug/2015/10/babishai-poetry-on-mountain-10-to-13.html 

We look forward to CELEBRATING #Babishai2016 with you!

BABISHAI POETRY ON THE MOUNTAIN: 10 TO 13 JUNE 2016

Don't you want to write a poem that doesn’t end? To climb a mountain that will climb along with you?

Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, together with Uganda Travel Bureau wants to take you on a poetry journey that will never end. Poetry On The Foothills of The Mountains of The Moon. From June 10^th to 13^th in 2016, we will leave Kampala and start our trek from Kilembe to the Rwenzori ranges.  It’s about poetry and you, poetry and nature, poetry on the mountain. Let your inner poet have an adventure. #Babishai2016

Internet photo of the indescribable scene

THE TREK

On 10^th June 2016, we will depart from Kampala to Hotel Margherita in Kasese. On 10^th June 2016, we will depart from Kampala to Hotel Margherita in Kasese. Hotel Margherita, very highly recommended, is a poem itself, with views of the various Rwenzori ranges, sounds of  birds chirping poetry in the mornings and very well trained and warm staff.

Courtesy photos

11th June 2016-Day 2 

At 7:00am on 11^th June 2016, we will depart from Rwenzori Trekkers to begin our extraordinary voyage.

Using the Kilembe entrance point, we will set off from the Rwenzori Trekkers Hostel and walk for 2.2km (about 45 min) to the park gate at the UWA post. This will be at a height of 1725m on the incredible Mountains of The Moon.

The Poetry-where nature will turn its focus on us as we read our poetry

We’ll continue the walk for two and a half hours, up the trail up to the Lunch stop at a height of 2,570m. At this height, nature will turn its focus on us as we take in the breathtaking view. This is the point where we will break for lunch and then hold our poetry session.

During lunch, our moderator from the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, will moderate the poetry session while overlooking one of the most scenic environments in Uganda, the Rwenzori ranges. Poems and spoken word pieces will come from every point of inspiration, some spontaneous. With the backdrop of the Rwenzori ranges, the sounds of birds, the sky within our grasp and the future in our hands, Poetry On The Mountain will be an experience like never before.

Internet photo of the breathtaking view

12th June:
Return to Kampala.

Our guide:

We will be guided by capable and experienced Deo Lubega, Patron of the Mountain Club of Uganda, who has climbed Mt. Rwenzori 6 times and Mt. Muhavura 4 times. His experience and stories will not only make it worthwhile but lead you to reach for something higher within yourself.

The Fee:

Each individual will pay 355 USD which will include the following:-

We shall package the fee to include:- Registration, Park fees, Transport, Accommodation, Lunch, Service provider charges (porters and guides) .


Early Registration Prize:
Those who pay by February 29th 2016, receive a fully paid for night at Park View Safari Lodge on 13th June 2016. This lodge overlooks Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese.

For Payment details and Inquiries, contact the following:-

Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation

Director Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Tel: +256 751 703226

Email: babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

UGANDA TRAVEL BUREAU 2004 LTD. Pan Africa House, plot no.3 Kimathi Avenue

PO Box 5619, Kampala, Uganda

Tel:     +256 312 232 555 / 414 335 335

Fax:    +256 414 236 998

Cell:    +256 712 890 369

24-hour Emergency no. +256 772 232 555

Email:deo.lubega@ug.fcm.travel

www.travelUTB.com

Do not hesitate to contact any of the above for account details. #Babishai2016