2022 Kistrech Poetry Festival Report
The 2022 edition of Kistrech Poetry Festival took place on Friday 7th to Thursday 15th October 2022. The following guest-poets participated: Karla Brundage (USA), Yolanda Castano (Spain), Chrys Salt (Scotland), Caren Jepkogei (Kenya), Gili Haimovich (Israel), Turczi István (Hungary), Niels Frank Alvarado (Denmark), Antony Wesonga Oduori (Kenya), Miss Sudipta Banerjee (India), Maria Dixen (Denmark), Dr. Christopher Okemwa, and Prof. Dr. Laksmisree Banerjee (India).
Poets arrived on Friday 7th October 2022. In the morning of Saturday 8th October 2022, they visited the Kenya Museum of Kenya, 25-minute walk from Comfort Hotel where they were staying. At one poets assembled outside Comfort Hotel and a bus took them to Machakos University for the opening ceremony of the festival.
At Machakos University three poetry books were launched: Bile on My Face by Ruth Jepkorir Koech, The Girl of Red Beauty by Alfred Nyagaka Nyamwange, Window Into Worlds by Dr. Evans Gesura Mecha, Somewhere in Budapest by Turczi István and Blue Phoenix and Other Poems and Where Rustling Leaves Laugh and Cry, both by Prof. Dr. Laksmisree Banerjee.
On Sunday 9th October 2022 poets travelled to Kisii and checked into the Kamel Park Hotel in the evening.
On Monday 10th October 2022 poets held another opening ceremony at Mocha Hotel and the Vice-Chancellor of Kisii University, Professor John Akama, met the poets and gave a welcoming speech. Then poets read their poems, held group discussions and in the evening held a student event in Sagini Hall, Kisii University. The students presented salsa and modern dance.
On Tuesday 11th October 2022 the poets visited Mosando Primary and Secondary Schools and read their poems to pupils and students. They also gave them presents and gifts. Later that evening a Film, Skookum Jim and The American Dream, by Chrys Salt (Scotland) was shown at Mwalimu Hotel. The film is based on Chrys published narrative sequence about the First Nation man who discovered gold in 19th century Yukon, unwittingly instigating an invasion of his culture and homeland.
On Wednesday 12th October 2022 poets visited the village of Bogiakumu, in Kisii, and read their poems which was translated to Ekegusii language by students for the local audience. Local Poets also read their poems and translated them: Mr. Atemba Nemwel, Mr. Sereti Magara & Obino Nyambane. The following groups presented cultural creative dances: Riogembo, Riamakora, Masongo, Nyamokenye, Ekerubo, Bogiakumu, Mwanyagetinge, Ekerore, Kisii National Polytechnic.
On Thursday 13th October 2022 the poets visited Maasai Mara and watched the animals as they wrote their poetry.
On Friday 14th October 2022 the poets visited Rusinga Island on Lake Victoria. The following poets read their poems: Josephat Mauti, Caren Jepkogei, Cornelius Kipkosgei, Cornelius Muthuri, Ruth Koech, John Kamau, Dr. Christopher Okemwa, Dr. Evans Mecha, Miss Sudipta Banerjee, Nicholas Omondi, Yolanda Castano, Alfred Nyamwange, Stanley Chemweno, Prof. Laksmisree Banerjee. Spoken-word performances were also done by Caleb Moses Omwoyo, Talaa Jepkaitany, Centrine Adhiambo, & Evans Mutie.
Poets departed on Saturday 15th October 2022
