Festival to turn new chapter on book marketing

Books marketing in Kenya has been a dull affair. Book fairs, public readings and other mini events to promote Kenyan books—usually far apart— are perceived as luxuries best left to the extravagant upper class and scholars.

They have rarely stirred the excitement that books and serious literary debates should.

This year’s StoryMoja Hay International festival seems on the way to opening a new page on book marketing in Kenya.

On radio, television, newspapers and other non traditional spaces like Facebook and Twitter, StoryMoja Hay festival organisers have been announcing to Kenyans that the festival—which started last evening with a dinner at Carnivore restaurant— is in town.

Muthoni Garland, the festival’s director, sung aloud on television to stress the importance of attending the event.

Besides high -sounding scholarly talk that might mean little to the typical Kenyan journalists and street readers, the StoryMoja Hay international festival has lined up opportunities for dances , music as well as poetry performances. Storytellers will also step on stage.

It is a three -day international celebration of stories, ideas, writing and contemporary culture through storytelling, mchongoano, music, books, live discussion forums, demonstrations, workshops, open-mike sessions, debates, exhibitions, live performances and competitions.

A popular genre that has been growing underground, mchongoano are the street contests that pit youngsters against each in ridicule contests that borrow heavily from the social, political and economic realities of the day.

“The festival hopes to encourage us to “own” our problems by exploring our situations and stories, and search for solutions by generating platforms for discussion and debate,” says a press release from the festival organisers.

“Simply put, the StoryMoja Hay Festival is a celebration of ideas expressed in many forms.” 

The event has a piece of something for different people with different tastes: those interested in business can catch up with enterprise tips by different speakers. There will also be a talk or two on sex and relationships.

Politics, environment and even economics as affects ordinary Kenyans will also be discussed.

All these, said the festival coordinators, are attempts to awaken Kenyans to read.

To lure readers to the festival that takes place in an open air field, the organisers have brought in several dignitaries. Eric Wainaina will offer music writing tips besides signing autographs as he mingles with his fans.

Unlike past editions when Kenyans have gone it alone, this year’s festival brings on board Hay Festival (UK).