Congratulations Clifton Gachagua!

The winner of the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets for 2013 is Clifton Gachagua for his manuscript Madman at Kilifi. Below is a photo off the internet. He will receive a USD $1,000 prize and publication by the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal. “I was driven mostly by what was for me a quest for a fresh language—something that seemed to come out of the energy of language spoken and owned, and then transformed into a poetic force that seemed sometimes out of control, but only in the way that honest passions can seem out of control,” says APBF Series Editor Kwame Dawes. “There is cleverness aplenty here and much that is provocative and troubling. Indeed, I think it is daring, careless and at times tender and vulnerable. But above all, there is a distinctive voice here. This is a strange trait to find, but when it emerges it is striking for its originality. I believe this is an original voice. This manuscript achieves what is necessary in African poetry: it feels as African as Africanness can be, and wholly contemporary and in our moment.” Clifton lives in Nairobi, where he was born and raised. His poetry has appeared in Kwani? 06 and Saraba. He has recently finished work on a novel. Clifton is also a scriptwriter and filmmaker, currently developing a French-Nigerian feature-length film. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. He has spent a considerable time of his life on East African highways, travelling from lake to coast and back, in search of both love and Jeffery Eugenides’s Obscure Object.

SESETULA ARTS E SESSE Festival of the arts 7th-9th December 2012.

Xenson arts and Zawadieye presents “Sesetula arts e Ssese” under the theme “Why I do what I do” loosely translated as “lwaki nkola zenkola” What is Sesetula Arts e Sesse? Sesetula arts e Ssese is a festival of the arts on the beautiful and serene Ssese islands. We are celebrating the climax of a wonderful 2012 and the diversity and richness that is the arts; their ability to impart knowledge, creativity, determination and compassion.

Internet source: Purpose of the Festival This project seeks to explore linkages that exist between art, culture and nature. OBJECTIVES 1. Enhance participation and appreciation of all genres of art; visual, performing, literary. 2. Promote cultural identity and encourage greater affinity with nature. 3. Inspire and reiterate self-belief and confidence. About the Venue. Scattered across the North Eastern corner of Lake Victoria; Africa’s largest fresh water lake are 84 islands that make up the Sesse group; Kalangala district in Central Uganda. To the South West is the Bugala group and to the North East; Koone group. The largest and most accessible of these is Bugala which is the district headquarters. Pearl Gardens campsite is located 100m from Lutoboka bay on Bugala Island. This 20 acre sprawling beach resort operates a secure and well maintained camping ground within the natural forest and along the beach equipped and ideal for group camping. The resort also has built cottages and rooms as alternative accommodation. Target This annual festival will draw together art lovers and enthusiasts, the local community as well as artists from all genres. Visual arts and handicrafts that include among others; basketry, mats, ceramics, beads, pottery, hand-woven textiles and products, toys, jewelry, bags and ornaments, leather products, batik, wood carvings and paintings. Performing arts; dance, drama, music, theatre, motion pictures, opera, traditional sports and the marching arts such as brass bands as well as literacy arts that use language to express oratory and literature; poets, comedians and writers. Activities • Battle of the bands: Arguably 2012 has been the year of the band as more and more Ugandans embrace the concept of live music. Bands will have the opportunity to go head to head in an explosion of instruments and musical genius. • Poetry and book reading: Literary art lovers will have the opportunity to engage in various recitals and review chapters of a local publication courtesy of FEMRITE (Uganda Women Writers Association). • Story telling: The “Original Musese”, as he is locally known is one of the oldest men on the island and will engage in folklore and convey the oral history and traditions of the Basese people. • Jam sessions: Whether you are an accomplished musician or not, bring your own instrument and let’s create beautiful music. • Dance recital: Mix of contemporary and modern dance styles. • Disco: DJ Apeman; Africa’s finest DJ will be on the spin tables displaying his talent and playing your favorite jams. • Boat graffiti: Working in teams, that include local fishermen, participants will get a chance to spray paint a boat on the beach. After this exercise, teams will get into their boats and the fishermen will treat us to a spectacular race to Lutoboka bay. • Treasure hunt: Teams will get to explore the Island following and deciphering a given set of clues to find the ultimate prize. Whichever team gets to the treasure first, wins it. • Culinary art: To celebrate the culinary arts, participants will take turns preparing breakfast; the first and most important meal of the day. • Exhibition: Those with items to sell will be allotted a special place to display their wares. How to participate/ getting there: For more information on our packages and to make reservations, please call Achan on 0751697010, achanc@yahoo.com or Esther on0772381552, esi.ochan@zawadieye.com. Remember, we only have 150 slots available so book early to avoid disappointment.

BN POETRY AWARD GOES INTERNATIONAL-IT'S TIME.

Hello, this message is for you-you who have been there for the team during the arduous and rewarding years of putting the BN Poetry Award together.

(Photo taken from one of the art pieces at Kenya National Museum) Thanks for being a heads up kind of person during the 4 past BN Poetry Award ceremonies. Next year 2013, will be the last annual poetry award for Ugandan women living in Uganda because, we have decided it is time to live larger. From 2014, the award will increase to include both female and male poets from East Africa. The award has achieved significant success in Uganda with remarkable aplomb amidst support from the media, individuals and other literary groups in Uganda and in honour of the surprises of poetry, it's time to show how radical and real poetry can be. If there ever was a time, it's now. Further to that, the award will also target Ugandan Women in the Diaspora , specific to regions. For example, in 2014, target Ugandan women in Southern Africa, 2015, Ugandan women in the U.K, and with the succeeding years, a new region. These ideas were augmented from the intense individuals whose ideas are like a springboard whenever we sit for our roundtable discussions. of the BN Poetry Foundation. Currently, we are still accepting poems from poets from Eastern Africa for an anthology thanks to funding from Prince Claus Fund. If you are interested, send the poems to bnpoetryaward@mail.com as a word attachment with your contact details. The deadline is end of December 2012. 2013 is going to be an intense fundraising year and a great time to be alive. Have a memorable week and you may follow us on facebook at Beverley Nambozo Poetry Foundation and this Friday and Saturday from 6:00pm, Lantern Meet of Poets will be holding a recital at The Uganda National Cultural Center (National Theater), tickets at only 10,000/-.