We are very excited that the amazing women who are Soma Nami Books are repeating their smash hit African Book Fair at the McMillan Memorial Library from 6 – 11 August. Mark your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in the richness of African storytelling.
As a Pan-African bookstore and advocate for African literature, Soma Nami’s annual event marks a significant step in promoting African literary art and fostering a vibrant literary culture on the continent.
Established in 2023, the African Book Fair serves as a platform to celebrate the richness and diversity of African literature, showcasing the works of established and emerging authors from across the continent. The event aims to create opportunities for writers, publishers, and readers to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and celebrate the power of storytelling.
Building on the success of the inaugural edition, which attracted over 5,000 attendees, both customers and publishers, from various parts of East Africa, the second edition promises to be even more exciting and impactful.
“This year’s edition, like the previous one, is rooted in our commitment to creating a dynamic platform that celebrates African literature and promotes a culture of reading and learning across the continent. Our expanded edition this year underscores our dedication to nurturing the literary talents of African writers and ensuring greater access to literature for everyone.” – Muthoni Muiruri, co-founder of Soma Nami Books
Attendees of this six-day extravaganza will be treated to a showcase of 10,000 books representing 54 African countries plus a programme of literary events.
These will range from engaging book chats with authors, masterclasses and storytelling sessions to a diverse array of exhibitors displaying their literary works, insightful panel discussions on literary topics and even a fun African Lit Book Quiz.
There will be a dedicated children’s programme designed to inspire young readers, and of course you are encouraged to purchase as many books as you can carry from the wonderful selection of hard to come by titles that will be on sale, some at discounted prices. You might even discover a signed copy by a favourite author.
The full programme is below, make sure to set some time aside for this excellent fair.
Follow @somanami_ke on instagram for more details and updates.
