Macondo Literary Festival

Nairobi's literary festival on African histories and futures. Sixth edition: September 18-20, 2026

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Call for Poets | Kenya 🇰🇪 & India 🇮🇳

1/ The Disrupting the Nature Narrative Poetry Retreat returns to Turkana, Kenya this May for 7–8 days of immersive writing and exchange.

#MacondoLitFest #TurkanaPoetryRetreat

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

What happens when a generation raised in silence finds its voice?

Egyptian writer Yasmine El Rashidi explores memory, identity and the lives that unfold long after history's biggest moments.

Join her at #Macondo2026.

📍18–20 Sept

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Check out last year's audio taster for some inspiration: https://t.co/vVqMuRcXKv

#Macondo2026

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

🎶 Help us build the #Macondo2026 playlist!

Tell us:
📚 5 songs from your country you'd listen to while reading.
💃 5 songs from your country that get you dancing.

Reply with the artist + song title by Friday, 31 July.

[Chigozie Obioma @JCObioma]

Fifty Four Magazine issue 15 has yours truly as its cover star. Deeply grateful for the honor. Magazine launches on July 27th. If you want to read the more interesting story about the life of a writer who was once a carpenter and cleaned houses for a living, get your copy!

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Nigerian writer Emmanuel Iduma joins #Macondo2026. His acclaimed work blends photography, memory and history into extraordinary storytelling.

📍18–20 Sept | Kenya Cultural Centre, Nairobi

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Smiles are our unofficial love language. ❤️

They happen when strangers become friends, when we discover a new favourite book, and when we finally meet a beloved author.

We're bringing that same joy to #Macondo2026.

📍18–20 September | Kenya Cultural Centre

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Macondo Baraza returns for its third year; bringing writers, artists and readers together in Swahili for conversations that live beyond the festival stage.

Mark your calendar and karibuni Macondo Baraza!
📍18–20 Sept

(peep the biryani 🤩)

#Macondo2026

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Poet and novelist Meena Kandasamy (India) has spent her career challenging power through literature. Her work in the international 'Objects Talk Back' project at Humboldt Forum asks who gets to tell history and why it matters. Come meet her at #Macondo2026!

📍18–20 Sept. | NBO

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Our children's programme returns this Sept, helping young readers expand their imaginations.

​Thrilled to have children's lit powerhouse Melissa Wakhu curating this year's theme: Ink, Sea, and Silence!

​📍 18–20 Sept | Kenya Cultural Centre
​#Macondo2026

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Sudanese novelist Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin joins us at #Macondo2026.

His acclaimed work explores migration, identity and resilience, making him a powerful voice for this year's theme: Silence.

Save the date! 📍18–20 Sept | Kenya Cultural Centre, Nairobi.

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Applications are open for @openarts_ self-funded residency in Kaduna, Nigeria.

A great opportunity to create, collaborate and build community.

More here: https://t.co/Q9P9JGkBUw

#MacondoLitFest

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

"What lives in the spaces between words? 🤫

SILENCE can be a weapon, a refuge, or a form of resistance. At #Macondo2026, we’re diving into the stories that haven't been told, the voices that have been quieted, and the power found in pause.

#MacondoLitFest #MacondoCitizens"

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Looking back at last year's festival reminds us why we do this. The conversations, the connections, the community. ❤️

We’re taking all that beautiful energy and pouring it straight into #Macondo2026. What was your favorite memory from last year?

#MacondoLitFest

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

"The water connects us all." 🌊

​This year, we look at literature that crosses oceans, fluid identities, and shared histories.

Ink, Sea, Silence.
Are you ready to dive in?

​📅 18–20 Sept 2026

​#Macondo2026 #MacondoLitFest #MacondoCitizens

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Sunday mornings are for getting lost in a good book. ☕
Today, we’re diving into Aminatta Forna’s (Sierra Leone/UK) "The Devil That Danced on the Water"—a memoir that reframes how you look at life.

Watch her 2023 session: [https://t.co/kv2ss2pFHP]

#MacondoLitfest #SundayReads

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Poetry is meant to shift something inside you.

Mesak, from Northeastern India, shares on their creative process straight from the #TurkanaNaturePoetryRetreat. Let us know in the comments if this hits home!

#MacondoLitFest

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Finding the extraordinary in the everyday. 📝

Kenyan poet and journalist @franknjugi talks about inspiration, structure, and what it means to write from the heart straight from the #TurkanaNaturePoetryRetreat. Listen close to this one.

#MacondoLitFest

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Do we write stories that we needed to hear?

A quick check-in with Kenyan poet Evalyn Githina at our #TurkanaNaturePoetryRetreat as she reflects on the stories we tell. What's your favorite environment to create in nature?

#MacondoLitFest

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

This year, we explore what it means to leave a mark. ✒️

INK is testimony. It’s how we record our histories, map our futures, and refuse to be forgotten. At #Macondo2026, we’re looking at the emotional weight of the written word. Stay tuned.

#MacondoLitFest

[Macondo Literary Festival @MacondoLitFest]

Still thinking about the brilliance 2024 guest author @ShubnumKhan (South Africa) brought to #MacondoLitFest.

If you haven’t read the haunting love story in "The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years" yet, this is your sign! Learn more about her: https://t.co/YLrbmFCrkk

#SundayReads