Festival Kick-Off: July 16, 2016
Venue: Kibra, DC Grounds
Participating Neighborhoods in this year’s festival: Kibera, Kamkunji, Kilimani and the South B-‐Mukuru
About Nai Ni Who Festival
Once again, Nairobi is set to host Nai Ni Who, what has now become an annual citywide festival. The festival is scheduled to kick-‐off on Saturday July 16, 2016 and run over the next two months into September 2016.
An initiative of The GoDown Arts Centre, Nai Ni Who? showcases the diverse cultures of Nairobi as the City county’s various neighborhoods transform into platforms for sharing Nairobi histories and stories, and celebrating its people and their neighbourhood assets and cultures.
Since it launched in 2013, the festival has catalyzed residents of Nairobi to engage with both the positive and challenging aspects of the city, with a view to expressing pride for and ownership of their city. Nairobians who have participated in previous festivals have made such comments as follow: “ Nai Ni Who helps us to look at people for who they are, to feel the city as it is, to not judge the people and places of Nairobi, ” and “it brought all Nairobi-‐ans together and it promoted our Nai culture.”
This year, as in previous festivals, The GoDown Arts Centre has been engaging in pre-‐ festival meetings with residents in the various neighborhoods, planning the events and programs for the celebrations. Nai Ni Who 2016 will include action in the neighbourhoods of Kibera, Kamkunji, Kilimani and the South B-‐Mukuru. There will also be activities in the City Centre, comprising free city walking tours in the weekends, led by youthful guides who have undergone a training on the histories and stories behind the streets and buildings in the CBD.
Using multiple publicity strategies such as street billboards, flyers and social media, with illustrations drawn from the distinctive style of Nairobi artist Michael Soi, the festival aims to amplify awareness around identity and belonging in the city.
Already lined up by the neighbourhoods are parades, concerts, clean-‐up activities, markets and sports events. Children from Nairobi’s city schools will also have a chance to know their city through visits organized for them by the Nai Ni Who festival to the National Park, the National Museums, Karura Forest and other destinations.
About The GoDown Arts Centre
The Centre, which has been operational for the past 13 years has contributed immensely to the advancement of a robust arts and culture sector in Nairobi. It is the force behind another significant Nairobi arts event -‐ Manjano – the annual Nairobi arts exhibition and art prize for artists resident in Nairobi.
