From world to Kisii with verse

They came from different parts of the globe. One came from Norway, another from the Bahamas. There was a Swede, a Swiss and a Dane. Africa, too, had representatives from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Uganda and, of course, Kenya.

They were here for the love of the word; a shared passion for poetry.

In its second edition now, Kistrech Poetry Festival was declared a success, despite a number challenges, by its founder, Christopher Okemwa.

A creative arts lecturer at Kisii University, Okemwa first thought of starting an international poetry festival in Kenya in the 1990s and 2000s after attending similar events in Europe and the Americas.

After many years knocking on doors trying to get support for the project, Kistrech finally became a reality last year.

Okemwa believes performance arts has role to play in society and this is the reason he tries to actively involve the local community in the project.

“I wanted the local community to experience the joy of poetry and use the event to transform lives,” he tells this writer at a Kisii hotel lobby after the event. “I wanted to create a platform for upcoming poets in Kenya to interact with established ones from around the world.”

One of the unique things about Kistrech is that it is held far away from Nairobi where most artistic undertakings are highbrow affairs restricted to upmarket coffee shops.

So between July 30 and August 3, poets from Kenya teamed up with their counterparts from around the world in a poetry extravaganza that aims to use the art form for both educational and entertainment purposes. And this year, just like last year, saw participants perform in villages near Kisii town, a feature many poets declared the highlight of the event.

In the villages, the guests got a taste of the Abagusii culture. No sooner were they there than drums came out and music flowed. Local brew and cuisine was procured, and before they knew it they were dancing, singing... jollity; a celebration of shared identities and cultural exchange between black and white, urban and rural — a melting pot of social values.

As was also the case last year, the participants took a trip to Lake Victoria where they read poetry aboard a boat.

Lofty achievement

Kenyan poet Amos Marcel Tabalia and Uganda’s Mariam Melloney Mpaata have been champions of the festival even before its inception and are happy to see it finally taking off. Amos, who has taken part in poetry recitals in Latvia and Lithuania, says there is everything to be celebrated about Kistrech not just as one man’s idea that has seen light of day but for the opportunities it affords the community, socially and economically. Mariam, on the other hand, calls for support of the event, which she described as having made her whole as a poet again.

Prof Kayede Adebanji from Nigeria, a participant, was full of praise for Kistrech organisers. He said the event looked at poetry beyond its esoteric nature and embraces its performance aspect. He said the event was remarkable in that it allowed participants to share in the African experience.

Laus Strandby Nielsen from Denmark found the whole thing inspiring. “The atmosphere was friendly and ambitious in terms of the what people want to achieve in poetry,” he said.

Obediah Michael Smith from the Bahamas said the festival had changed his life. He said it was a tremendously lofty achievement as the gathered poets are brilliant, gifted people.

Jenny Tunedal, an associate professor in literary composition from Gothernburg University, Sweden, said the sessions were academically and intellectually intense but different in that they offered opportunities for mentorship for upcoming poets and the interaction and appreciation of local culture.

Other international poets who graced the festival include Tendai Maduwa from Zimbabwe, Althea Romeo-Mark from Switzerland and Erling Kittelson from Norway.

Students from Kisii University and neighbouring secondary schools also made their presentations.

Okemwa is calling for more assistance from relevant Government agencies and well-wishers. He is grateful to the poets who travelled to Kenya despite prevailing travel advisories and the Ebola crisis.

He, however, bemoaned the absence of renowned Kenyan poets who skipped the festival even after confirming participation.