Past Festivals Reports

The Kistrech International Poetry Festival was held on Monday 2nd to Monday 9th of October 2017. Most poets managed to arrive on Monday 2nd Oct. 2017. On Tuesday 3rd October 2017, we held the opening ceremony in which Susan Hilde Jaegtnes (Norway), One Single Rose (USA), Robert Onteri Nyabuto (Kenya) and Anselm Berrigan (USA) presented their poetry. At mid-morning, a poetry workshop was conducted by Susan Hilde (Norway) and Anselm Berrigan (USA). One Single Rose (USA) also conducted a spoken-word workshop for students. After lunch, the poets visited Tabaka soapstone mine where poets bought soapstone items. The poets, One Single Rose USA) and Susan Hilde Jaegtnes (Norway) presented song items to a crowd of local people at the Tabaka shopping centre


On Wednesday 4th October 2017, the poets, Lily Michaelides (Cyprus) joined the festival. She had arrived late. In the morning, poets -- Constany Oteki (Kenya), Robert Onteri Nyabuto (Kenya), Lily Michaelides (Cyprus), Sheilah Kemunto Benson (Kenya), Anselm Berrrigan (USA), Amir Or (Israel) -- read their poetry at Kisii University.

In the afternoon, poets visited the village of Bogiakumu, of the Abagusii Community, and each poet presented a traditional poem/song from their communities. Local artists and secondary school students presented oral poetry, songs and dances.

On Thursday 5th October 2017, the poets visited Lake Victoria. They read their poems near the shores of Lake Victoria and took boat rides across the waters. On the same day the poets visited Kisii University, Kisumu campus, where they read poetry to students and staff.
On Friday morning, 6th October 2017, the poet, Amir Or, presented a paper on “Hebrew Poetry”. The Germany duo, Philipp Scholz and Nora Gomringer, presented their poetry accompanied by drums and instruments. Before lunch students’ workshops were concluded by the poets Susan Hilde (Norway), Lily Michaelides (Cyprus), Anselm Berrigan (USA) and Rosemarie Wilson (One Single Rose) (USA). In the evening, the poets were treated to a dinner provided by the Vice-chancellor of Kisii University, Prof. John Akama, at Ufanisi Resort, 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. During dinner, the poet, Amir Or, was treated to a surprise gift by a student artist who had made his portrait. The student artist, Derek Nyarangi, had drawn the portrait from Amir’s photo he saw on the festival poster.
On Saturday 7th October 2017, the poets left Dans Hotel at 4.00am and travelled to Maasai Mara Game Reserve. They reached there at 8.00am and went round to watch the animals. After watching the animals the whole day, the Germany duo, Nora Gomringer and Philipp Scholz, left the rest of the poets and travelled to Nairobi. The rest came back to Dans Hotel, Kisii, in the evening.
On Sunday 8th October 2017, the poets left for Nairobi. They checked into Comfort Hotel (Nairobi) in the evening. At 7.00pm to 9.00pm the poets had dinner, prepared by the ambassador of Israel at his residence at Muthaiga. Poets read their poetry during the dinner and the Israeli poet, Amir O, gave a short speech. The spoken word artist, One Single Rose, moved the audience with her song. Susan Hilde played her xylophone. The Germany duo, Nora Gomringer & Philipp Scholz presented their poetry. Lily Michaelides, Anselm Berrigan, Robert Onteri, Sheilah Kemunto Benson, Christopher Okemwa, all read their poetry. The director of Nsemia Inc. Publishers, Dr. Matunda Nyanchama, gave a short speech on publishing. The ambassador, deputy ambassador, first lady, and the Public Relation, Angela Mogusu, expressed their gratitude to the poets for their visit.
On Monday 9th October 2017, the poets visited the Kenya Museum where they took their lunch. When they were back to the hotel at around 2.00pm, riots and political demonstrations started in the streets of Nairobi and the poets had to hurry to the airport. No hugs or good-byes were made. Life was more precious.