Welcome to the Storymoja Hay Festival 2012 Programme for Schools
The Storymoja Hay Festival is the premier literary festival in the region, and is part of the Hay Festivals network, which take place around the world; from India to Colombia to Wales. The Storymoja Hay Festival is the only Hay Festival on the continent. Hay Festivals have featured guests such as Michael Morpurgo, Chimamanda Adichie and even Bill Clinton.
We are delighted to announce our stellar line-up events for schools in Kenya, with Thursday 13th September and Friday 14th September being designed specifically to cater for school groups of all ages. Sessions are highly interactive, and in a workshop format with the international writers and poets. In addition to literature, the festival will bring some fun and learning to other subjects, such as science, engineering, careers and art.
The festival takes place at the Nairobi National Museum, which is the perfect background for such a festival. Festival tickets include entry to the museum, snake park and also a free book for each child.
Your questions answered…
What are the charges?
The special schools entry ticket to the festival is Ksh. 400 for each student, and Ksh 1000 for teachers. Once admission into the festival is granted, schools have access to all the museum facilities as well as to the Storyhippo Children’s village events.
Are there pre-booked events?
Some of the festival events are pre-booked. Sessions whose maximum capacity is 30 students will require pre-registration before the festival. Such events include, Publish your own book (PYOB) and most writing workshops. You can pre-book by indicating your preference for sessions on the sign-up sheet, and once payment has been made, your registration will be confirmed. Ongoing events include Yoga, dance workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts and films (suitable for secondary school students, these are films based around human rights and Kenya’s Post Election Violence.
How do I book tickets?
You can fill in the sign-up form attached, and then our Box Office team will contact you to arrange for collection of payment and delivery of tickets. For any enquiries, you can contact Faith Kisio at [email protected] or call (+254)720-707-010 Bookings will be dealt with in order of receipt.
Can we make a day of it and go to more than one event?
Yes. You can attend as many or as few events as you wish, as long as space is available. In fact, even in between sessions there will be dance workshops, storytelling, dudu safaris and even Yoga!
I am anxious about bringing a large group of children to the festival site, is it well organised?
Yes, the site is designed for safety and comfort. Each school will be greeted as they arrive on site and guided to their first venue. Festival staff will be on hand throughout the day to answer any queries you may have. The site has full security, with a comprehensive lost child procedure. There will be an ambulance on site at all times. If there are any students with specific medical requirements, please make sure this is indicated on the sign-up sheet.
Can the pupils bring their own books to be signed?
Students are welcome to bring their own books to be signed by the authors, it makes the writers feel appreciated. Books from authors appearing will be available in the on-site festival bookshop, Savanis.
Can we bring packed lunches?
Yes. There is plenty of green space on site for students to relax and enjoy themselves during the lunch break. If you would like to order lunches from the on-site restaurant at a rate of 200/= per child, please indicate this on the form, so that we may place your order in advance.
What do the children need to bring?
A pen or pencil, their imagination, creativity and oodles of curiosity.
Getting there
Entry for school buses and groups will be through the main Museum Entrance on Forest Road. There will be a special registration desk for schools as you enter the site.
Do you have anything for the general public?
Saturday 15th September and Sunday 16th September has a great programme for both adults and children alike. It is a great day out for families to come and spend a weekend – there are sessions with international writers, poetry, storytelling, music, art, dance and film. We are happy to provide you with fliers or an e-poster if you would like to let your parent database know about the festival, and give them a chance to participate.
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Thursday 13th September 2012
(6 – 9 years)
Event 4 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 10am • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE
An event for 6-9-year-olds, working with writers and illustrators to create their very own book in just two hours. Our most popular workshop session – we have ‘published’ over 300 little authors since the inception of this event in 2012 (Pre-registration only)
Sponsored by the US Embassy
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Event 5 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 10am • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE ARTS AND CRAFTS TENT
Storyhippo’s own storyteller, Wangari Grace brings alive the much loved cheeky character from the bookKoko Riko, who woke me?
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Why the Cheetah Hunts at Night (6yrs – 9yrs) and Mzee and Owen
Event 13 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 1pm • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE
JC Niala teaches puppet making around her book ‘Why the Cheetah Hunts at Night’.
Celebrated National Geographic explorer and conservationist Paula Kahumbu unveils some secrets behind the remarkable true story of Kenya’s most famous tortoise and hippo, Owen and Mzee.
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(10 – 14 years)
Event 1 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 10am • Venue: BRITISH COUNCIL COURTYARD
Two celebrated contemporary British poets, Lemn and Imtiaz have written five collections of poetry spanning the past 25 years. Lemn Sissay is a poet, playwright, broadcaster and artist-in-residence at London’s Southbank Centre. Imtiaz Dharker is a poet, artist and documentary film-maker. Facilitated by Michael Osando (pre-registration only)
Supported by British Council
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Event 3 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 10am • Venue: SCIENCE TENT
The famous University of Nairobi Fab Lab comes to the festival, with their picocrickets kits, armed to make ‘almost’ anything! Get your first taste of robotics.
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Event 11 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 1pm • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE
Join writers and illustrators and publish your own book – in just two hours. Storymoja’s most popular session! we have ‘published’ over 300 little authors since the inception of this event in 2012 (Pre-registration only)
Supported by the US Embassy
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Event 12 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 1pm • Venue: LOUIS LEAKEY AUDITORIUM
Join Africa’s most loved children’s book authors Lola Shoneyin (Nigeria) & Lauri Kabuitsile (Botswana) for your chance to learn more about the inspiration behind their stories, and just where their characters come from.
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(15 – 16 years)
Event 2 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 10am • Venue: LOUIS LEAKEY AUDITORIUM
The stand-up comedian and broadcaster shares his experiences on careers in the entertainment industry. Chaired by Millie Dok.
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CREATIVE WRITING 1: DISPLACEMENT AND IDENTITY – TELLING OUR LIFE STORIES
Event 10 • Thursday 13 September 2012, 1pm • Venue: BRITISH COUNCIL COURTYARD
Daughter of a Nigerian princess, Precious Williams was raised by a white family in Sussex and her first book – a memoir – describes the growing pains of an African foster child. Dinaw Mengestu was born in Addis Ababa but migrated to the USA during the years of the Ethiopian revolution. His two novels Children of the Revolution and How to Read the Air are fictional accounts of displacement and identity experienced by immigrants. Share their ideas and expertise on writing from life experience.
Supported by the US Embassy and Van Horn Consulting
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Friday 14th September 2012
(6 – 9 years)
Storytelling and arts and crafts: KoKo Riko & Baby Star (6yrs – 9yrs)
Event 23 • Friday 14 September, 10am • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE ARTS AND CRAFTS TENT
Storyhippo’s own storyteller, Wangari Grace brings alive the much loved cheeky character from the bookKoko Riko, who woke me?, and the endearing Baby Star
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Event 29 • Friday 14 September, 1pm • Venue: STORYMOJA AMPHITHEATRE
A chance to meet Storymoja authors Faith Gatimi, Joan Kabuga, Shaleen and Reeves Kibet. Ask questions and get inspired.
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Event 32 • Friday 14 September, 1pm • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE
If you are 6–9 years old, love writing and fancy a challenge, come and publish your own book – in just two hours! (pre-registration)
Supported by the US Embassy
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(10 – 14 years)
Event 20 • Friday 14 September, 10am • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE
Nigerian poet and English teacher Lola Shoneyin coaches aspiring poets (pre-registration advised)
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Event 24 • Friday 14 September, 10am • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE
Storymoja’s most popular session…join the team of writers and illustrators as you create your very own book, and become a ‘published’ author! (pre-registration only)
Supported by the US Embassy
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Event 21 • Friday 14 September, 10am • Venue: FORD HALL
Lemn Sissay introduces this moving documentary account of his foster care, his mother and the search for his absent father that took him to Ethiopia.
Supported by British Council
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Event 31 • Friday 14 September, 1pm • Venue: STORYHIPPO VILLAGE
The Theatre Company bring to life Storymoja’s latest book for young people, AKAs and the Shidas.
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Event 30 • Friday 14 September, 1pm • Venue: SCIENCE TENT
Don your lab coat, and safety goggles for science experiments that you can do in your own kitchen!
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(15 – 18 years)
Event 18 • Friday 14 September, 10am • Venue: STORYMOJA AMPHITHEATRE
Founder of Money Academy and Pesatalk.com, Joel Macharia teaches early financial management, and shows you it is never too early to start making money.
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Event 19 • Friday 14 September, 10am • Venue: LOUIS LEAKEY AUDITORIUM
Google’s head of Policy and Government Relations, Africa and the Freedom of Expression advocate discuss the cultural and social transformative power of the internet and new technologies.
In Association with Google
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Event 25 • Friday 14 September, 1pm • Venue: BRITISH COUNCIL COURTYARD
A conversation about poetry with the London/Mumbai poet who is on the GCSE syllabus for poetry
Supported by British Council