SPOKEN WOR:L:DS – Lyrical Exchange between Nairobi and Berlin

I came across this in my email and I thought it would be an interesting experience for y’all. And of course some of my buddy poets are taking part so it should be in interesting affair.

16 poets, rappers and spoken word artists from both Berlin and Nairobi will be part of a literary exchange project between Germany and Kenya on the week of November 9th – 15th 2013. Following this visit to Nairobi by 8 artists from Germany, there will be a chapter in which their 8 Kenyan counterparts travel to Berlin in April 2014 for a similar week-long event.

Titled, SPOKEN WOR:L:DS, this event is the first of its kind between the two countries and takes it impulses from Poetry, Spoken Word, Slam Poetry and Rap—art forms that mix literature, music, dance, and visual arts. The 16 SPOKEN WOR:L:DS artists shall select material from their counterparts across the seas to create new works in a translation that cuts across genre, language and technique.

Nairobi will be represented by Checkmate, L-Ness, Ogutu Muraya, Wanjiku Mwaurah, Namatsi, Sitawa Namwalie, Octopizzo and Poetic Bee. Berlin will feature through Josefine Berkholz, Diamondog, Erko, Christian Filips, MC Josh, LMNZ, Joe Madog and Sabine Scho.

The week-long visit includes events such as street poetry, workshops, talks and performances at Maono Cultural Group in Dandora, Goethe-Institut Kenya and Kwani Open Mic: Special Edition. The final evening of the Nairobi chapter will feature a SPOKEN WOR:L:DS wrap party on November 15th at Tree House.

The aim is for them to translate each other’s work not only from one language to another but across the boundaries of genre and imagination. November events include workshops, talks and live performances at Maono Cultural Group in Dandora, Goethe-Institut Kenya, Nairobi IMAX Cinema and Tree House.

 SPOKEN WOR:L:DS PROGRAMME

 Street Poetry feat. SPOKEN WOR:L:DS

Sunday, November 10th

Aga Khan Walk, City Centre

Entry: Free. Time: 3:00 pm.

 

Tafsiri Elimu ya Hip-Hop

Monday, November 11th

Maono Cultural Group, Dandora

Entry: Free. Time: 2:00 pm.

 

Kwani Open Mic: Special Edition

Tuesday, November 12th

Nairobi IMAX Cinema Mama Ngina Street

Entry: Free. Time: 7:00 pm.

 

Lost in Translation? Panel discussion, performances & open stage Wednesday, November 13th

Goethe-Institut, Maendeleo House

Entry: Free. Time: 4:00 pm.

 

Visit to Kibera

Thursday, November 14th

Time: 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

 

United States International University-Africa (USIU) Talk Friday, November 15th

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

SPOKEN WOR:L:DS: Live & Loud in Nairobi Friday, November 15th

Tree House, Museum Hill, Westlands

Entry: Free. Time: 8:30 pm

If you’re a big fan of Hip Hop, Poetry and Spoken Word then you can’t miss this show that showcases the very best talents from Nairobi and Berlin. It is the big wrap up party for the SPOKEN WOR:L:DS project, an international literature exchange. There shall be a shuttle to town from 11:00 pm to 3:00 am, so bring your dancing shoes!