#BABISHAI2016 POETRY FESTIVAL EXHIBITOR'S FORM

Dear Exhibitor,

Do you have music, books, art and craft, jewellery, children’ s stories or any other family friendly product you would like to sell? Have you heard of Maria’s Place in Ntinda, the homeliest of Ntinda homes?

We invite you to market and sell your material during the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival, from 24-26 August, 0900h to 1700h, in one of Kampala- Ntinda’s lushest gardens, at Maria’s Place. With guests from the academia, arts, corporate world, schools and all around the world, we are certain that your products will fall in the right hands.

Please provide  the following information:-

1.       The name of your organization

2.       Name the exhibitor(s) Maximum of 2.

3.       Name the products to be sold.

If they are books or CDs, kindly provide the titles, authors, producer of publisher, year of publications and email the cover pages to babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

4.       Your contact information:-

Email address: 

 Tel no:             

5.       Each exhibitor will be provided with lunch and exhibition space. If you would like the Babishai sales team to sell your products, that is also acceptable.

6.       The exhibition fee for three days is 100,000/-. Kindly send payment via Airtel money on

+256 751 703226 or MTN mobile money on +256 782 764335 by 5^th August 2016.

Early registration fee is 70,000/- and the deadline is June 30^th 2016.

7.       For any inquiry, call George Kiwanuka on + 256 703 147862 or email babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

     

MAGUNGA WANTS TO READ MORE UGANDAN BLOGGERS

Magunga Williams a blogger and creative writer from Kenya will attend the #Babishai2016 poetry festival in Kampala, from 24-26 August. He was nominated for the 2016 #BAKEAWARDS-Bloggers Association of Kenya Awards and runs a large online bookstore.

1.       The Magunga online bookstore is thriving and making a large difference regarding accessibility of literature, how did this idea emerge?

It is one of those things I have always wanted to know. It stemmed from a heartbreak I had when I was a kid when a neighbourhood library was shut down after its owner passed away. I cannot even remember his name. But I remember how much I loved going to that place. It was my refuge. When we were sent home due to unpaid school fees, my brother and I would visit that library. It had so many storybooks.

Time passed. That heartbreak healed, like very few heartbreaks usually do, but like many heartbreaks, it was not forgotten. Fast forward to 2014-15 and my partner and I are walking around Nairobi bookshops trying to get her poetry collection into bookstore unsuccessfully. Then I realized many self published authors, and many other authors had trouble distributing and marketing their books. I saw a vacuum and nature did the thing it does with vacuums. Now here I am, managing an online bookstore from the comfort of my house. One step at a time, because that is how I was taught to do things.

2.       How may we support this fabulous invention of yours?

How can you help? I throw that question back to you. You read books. You consume them with so much relish. Tell me what challenges you experience and then we can have a conversation about how you think we can solve them. I want to reach as many Africans as possible with this venture. Put a book in as many hands as possible.

3.       Which are the most popular books so far, from the Magunga online bookstore?

Oh! Elnathan John’s book, Born On A Tuesday, lasted all of two days and they were gone. Same with The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma.

Then there is Den of Inequities  and Last Villains of Molo  by Kinyanjui Kombani.

Ooooh! Any book by Zukiswa Wanner rarely stays for long. See, Zukiswa and Kombani have learnt that books are products like any other; you have to market them aggressively, and that is working very well for them.

(Do not tell my competitors, hehehe).

4.       What kind of poetry do you like to read?

I like easy to read poetry. The kind that affects you without your mind being forced to understand whatever is going on. Think Warsan Shire, Amu Nnadi, Abigail Arunga, Sheila Okong’o and Eric Onyango Otieno.

Woi! This chap called Saddiq Dzukogi is phenomenal.

I still do not know what the difference between poetry and spoken word is. Because Peter Kagayi is amazing.

5.       Were you surprised by your invitation to the Babishai Poetry festival last year and why?

Yes. I was surprised. Because I do not consider myself anyone of note in these literary circles, much less in poetry circles. I am a pretender. I know as much as Jon Snow.

6.       What do you expect from the festival this year?

I expect more fun. Last year was so well organized and so informative. Guests were treated well, the classes were just as good as they can get. Beverley is an angel. I can say that given the success of last year’s festival, then I am hoping to see a bigger crowd.

7.       Where would you place Christian literature in this secular world?

Hehehehe. You know everything has its own space, yeah? People who like stories will enjoy it regardless of whether it is Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Legion Maria, Polo Piach  or Atheist. Remember that book, My Book of Bible Stories that we used to read as kids? Loved that book. Not because it was Christian, but because I was entertained by the stories. Left to Tell by Imaculee Ilibagiza is a sublime story about a woman finding God in the midst of the Rwandan genocide. But regardless of it’s religious inclinations, the story is well told. But of course there are material that I do not see people other than those of that faith buying. For instance, many people will not read The Hand of God simply because they have no interest in it.

Am I making sense?

8.       Congratulations on your 2016 #BAKEAWARDS nomination, who are some of your favourite Ugandan bloggers?

Peter Kagayi

Harriet Anena

Soooo Many Stories

But you have to agree with me that Ugandans have not really taken to blogging like we Kenyans have. Your internet keeps getting shut down every time the Leopard wakes up on the wrong side of the bed.

9.       What food in your opinion, is best for writers?

The edible kind

10.   Any parting remarks?

Be a good sport and buy books. Sharing is caring with other things, but not when it comes to books. So go to www.books.magunga.com and make an order now. Haven’t you been told that the best place to be is in between the pages of a good book?

ROXANNA KAZIBWE, THE CHRISTIAN WHO'S UNAFRAID AND BABISHAI POETRY GUEST

Roxannna Aliba Kazibwe is a Christian, an author, published poet and entrepreneur. Each week, we interview our guests for the #Babishai2016 poetry festival scheduled for 24-26 August in Kampala.

Roxanna (Courtesy photo)

1.    Roxanna, your poetry collection, “My Love is not Afraid,” is a creative narrative of Agape love, filial love, eros and God’s abundant grace. Your inspirational blog reflects the same. How does this knowledge affect your daily work?

This growing understanding and experience of God’s love for mankind is the basis for all my work. It is the foundation and motivation for my writing. I aim at encouraging and empowering others because love is enabling and not crippling. I hope to reassure all who read and/or hear me in the love of God for us. I want to remove any notion in people’s minds that God is at war with us, angry with us or out to get us. God is for us, He is on our side. For all who believe in Him, He adopts as children and therefore as His heirs. I think being grounded in this identity is what can help a person to flourish and so it is my main focus.

2.    Do you have specific audiences you write for?

I have various forums on which I write and each targets a different audience.

On my blog at youarebeingloved.org I write for people who need encouragement and advice on knowing their purpose and fulfilling their potential.

On my author page I write for people who enjoy literature; I share short stories, poems and my writing processes.

Overall, I write for people who need a love, hope and faith boost J

3.    What are some of the criticisms you receive from your writing?

Some people comment that it sounds too good and is therefore idealistic: to be loved unconditionally by a perfect God.

I chose to be true to my message and not try to wrap it to fit another. It’s okay to cause a little discomfort J 

Roxanna's poetry collection,2015

Then there’s the “you are too young to be giving advice on this” line.

I came to terms with the fact that I don’t have to wait to be a certain age to share the things that I am learning. I hope by doing this other people even much younger than me will be spurred on to do the same.

I’ve also been told that my poems are easy to understand.

4.    What do you think is different from Christian writing and secular writing?

Everyone has their unique writing experience. Here’s mine:

I’ve always been a writer but I didn’t always have a relationship with Jesus.

Before, I used to write about my own experiences and/or thoughts/imaginations and so the piece could be dark or bright depending on my mood. Be informed that I had a bout of depression at some point so you can imagine what those pieces were like. All in all, I wrote for myself.

Now, I write the Truth. The Truth is consistent and is not dependent on my mood. I like to think of my hand being “the hand of a ready writer” passing on whatever it is that God wants me to share. Now, I write for Him for the sake of others.

I must admit that I get more joy from it because when someone reads your work they are not just understanding your words but they feel the feelings you felt as you wrote and so I’m able to pass on peace, comfort, hope, a good expectation, love, rejoicing through my writing.

Roxanna at Babishai Niwe World Poetry Day Celebrations in Kabale, 2015

5.    During the Easter Weekend, one of your plays, The Encounter was performed at Worship Harvest Church. Share what it was about.

“The Encounter” in a nutshell is about God’s power and love: God’s love for mankind and His power over sin, death and their proprietor the devil. It’s the Easter story where Jesus is portrayed as a devoted prince, Tsozo; the Church is portrayed as a helpless girl bound for death, Nissa; and the devil is portrayed by a pompous, deceitful leader, Sly.

I’m working on a print version of the play. It will be ready in July.

6.    You’re an entrepreneur. Tell us a bit about your businesses.

One of my businesses is Birella. A fresh fruit juice company that offers natural cocktail juice that is healthy and tasty. We deliver the juice on order at the customer’s convenient location. A customer can expect it to be ice cold and delivered on time. Our clients include event organisers (weddings, introductions, parties, concerts), offices, schools and homes.

Apart from my published or performed work, I compose customized poems for functions, organisations and personal use. On occasion I work as a ghostwriter.

I also do one on one reviewing and guidance for writers.

7.    What, in your opinion, is the best diet for poets?

Hahaha that will be a full plate of reading and goblet of writing.

Anyway, it is in the best interest of a poet to read/listen/watch other poets’ work. A poet could even zero down on some poets that write on a similar subject or have a similar style to theirs and he/she studies and learns from them. If the poet (that one is studying) is still alive, one can reach out to them and ask questions (thank God for Twitter) without being stalker-ish.

It is also key to write and write and write some more. This will help you write better and write faster. It will keep you in shape.

Don’t be a closet poet, share what you write with 1) other poets so that they can get some much needed, (especially) technical criticisms (2) readers of poetry so that you can get feedback e.g on how it made them feel, did they understand your message, did they enjoy your style, was it confusing etc.

8.    What do you expect at the #Babisha2016 Poetry Festival?

Oh! I really look forward to this three day buffet of interaction, learning, networking, being challenged, growing and fun with poets!

I expect a diverse delegation of talented, charged poets and an atmosphere of creativity, inspiration and an appreciation of art.

9.    Any parting remarks?

Thanks to Babishai Niwe for creating this platform. See you in August!

Thank you Roxanna

The #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival runs from 24-26 August in Kampala. For details, visit www.babishainiwe.com or email festival@babishainiwe.com

MEET OSWALD OKAITEI FROM GHANA-#BABISHAI2016 FESTIVAL GUEST

          Each week, we interview our guests coming for the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival scheduled for 24-26 August 2016. In partnership with Praxis magazine, we want to share the power of poetry. This week, it’s Oswald Okaitei from Ghana, poet, performer and playwright.

1.       Oswald, thanks for agreeing to this. As a child, you acted in twenty episodes of a Ghanaian children’s drama series, By The Fireside. How old were you, what roles did you play and was that a foundation for your art?

You are welcome. I was 13 yrs to 15 years for the period of production. I played several roles. However  prominent amongst them include Agya Koo (KwakuAnanse’s good friend), The Hawk (As in the Hawk & Hen Tale), Nana YiadomBoakye (King) etc.

Yes, BY THE FIRESIDE has been the basis for my current arts status. It moulded me artistically and nurtured my interest for Ghanaian folkloric arts—especially my style of poetry.

 

2.       As a playwright who has written, directed and produced several plays including Beautyfyl Nonsense (A political comedy), Who Stole The Casket?(Emancipation tragic-comedy), When It Turns Red… (Peace play), In Man’s Libido and In The Bag Of A Woman (Social comedies) at the Centre for National Culture (Accra and Cape Coast) and the National Theatre of Ghana respectively, what is your process of engagement with themes? Do you have a cast always on standby and which is your own favourite play to-date?

Yes, Play House.kom, my Production House (a theatre company) has constant cast and crew.

All are my favourite but I think the most appreciated is IN THE BAG OF A WOMAN.

3.       You’re quite prolific.  In your emancipation-tragic comedy, Who Stole the casket?, kindly explain why it was categorised under emancipation and what you feel the play achieved? Thank you for the compliment. “Who Stole The Casket?” tells the story of how Africa lost her political authority and the journey to fetching it. The characters in the play are symbolical and in a quite simple way, explain what would seem a rather complex history.

4.       The main theme of the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival is Abundance: Poetry from Contemporary Africa, how does that speak to you?

There are many phases (Evolved and original) of the African contemporary poetry and they have a lot to serve the society—immediate and farther.

5.       When you think of poetry in Uganda, what images come to your mind?

Ugandan tourism sites/ items.Uganda Poetry festivals, especially Babishai Poetry Festival, has done a lot of good works setting the tourism of Uganda in a portrait.

6.       During the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival, we will hold a children’s poetry session under the sub-theme of Children’s poetry and its accessibility. How important do you think it is for African children to have poetry created for   them?

It is very vital and crucial: creating a generation of African poets who would grow to appreciate Africa and understand the role they can play in putting the African continent on the world map through poetry.

7.       What diet would you recommend for poets?

A lot of vegetables and natural foods.

8.       What are you looking forward to at the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival?

A common platform where focus will be placed on celebrating a new generation of African poets and telling the world that beyond the known African Poetry legends, there is a promise of hope for the next generation in the field of poetry.

9.       Any parting words?

I believe that poetry has an immense contribution towards curbing the high level of unemployment in Africa and the world at large. Therefore, corporate institution/ governments should be ever ready to invest in that regard.

 Thank you Oswald.

For more festival details, email festival@babishainiwe.com

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.