Nairobi to host public street art festival

Nairobi will be hosting a public street art festival dubbed PAWA Festival that will take place on Sunday, December 23^rd, 2018 at Koinange Street from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Themed I AM KENYA, PAWA Festival is a platform to showcase East Africa’s creative genius through art. The Festival brings Art out of the hubs and galleries and theatres and onto the streets.

Key festival activities include (but are not limited to) Performing Arts Stage; Live Music, Poetry and Spoken word, Literary Readings, Dance, Acrobats: Visual Arts Platforms – Photography Exhibitions, Street Film Screenings, Live Graffiti installations and Vendors and Exhibitors showcasing their products and services – Arts and Creative Hubs, Fashion, Upcycling Products, Civil Society Organizations, Food and Beverages, Arts and Crafts, Resident Associations, African Heritage, etc.

Some of the performing artistes expected at the festival include H_ART the Band, Le Band, Graviti playing beside a Zimbabwean visiting artists, TshoC. Spoken artists such as Shikkey, Namatsi, and Mizizi Africa. The new kids on the block expected are 20More Dayz, Mbogi Konnection, Soulmate and featured performances by Kenya’s World Jump Rope Champions.

Commenting on the festival, Nairobi County Governor, Mike Sonko noted: “Art is a great thing for our youth as it provides employment. I’m happy that Nairobi is this year hosting the art street festival, as sign of commitment to support the youth in their economic endeavors’. The festival platform will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to promote their businesses in our quest to support local entrepreneurs in the country. As we look forward to the festival, I call upon everyone to come out in large numbers and support the event.”

According to the organizer, Njeri Mwangi, she noted: “PAWA Festival is an event that seeks to demonstrate Nairobi’s commitment to the arts and contributing to its growing presence as a vibrant arts and culture hub in Africa. This year, with our theme “I AM KENYA”, we hope to inspire Kenyans to be more responsible in whatever spaces they are and own their experiences and situations and purpose to change what is not right. Building up on last year’s success, we are expecting thousands of people to come through the showcase in this festive season. ”

The event will tap into the expressive and economic potential of the numerous talented young people in the country to create a platform that will establish regular exposure for arts & cultural professionals as well as promote tourism, culture, heritage and the arts.