Online events

Why was it not possible to transform the momentum of the June-July protests into a political movement with a vision and strategy? As the country marks one year since the Gen-Z revolution, what can we learn from the events of that time and what unfolded after? We seek insights from Christine Mungai, News Editor of Pan-African newspaper The Continent and former Curator at Baraza Media Lab; Keith Ang'ana, a writer, editor, and one of the founders of Qwani, a vibrant youth-led initiative and Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). In conversation with Wanjeri Gakuru.

This panel will examine the groundbreaking collaborations that shaped Africa's COVID-19 response. Key figures who feature in the book, Riding the Storm, and its author will join a panel to examine cooperation among African financial institutions, governments and health organisations in addressing the immediate crisis and creating lasting models for continental self-determination. The discussion will highlight how these partnerships laid groundwork for more integrated African markets and strengthened financial systems that can weather future global disruptions. Prof. Thumbi Mwangi and Mark Leichena will talk with Dr. Eghosa Imasuen.

Hear from creatives telling nuanced stories about Kenyan life through their artist endeavours. Eric Wainaina from the NBO Musical Theatre Initiative has written a brown-black love story filled with original Asian-Kenyan and African-Kenyan sounds. Neddy Amoga shares how Cinema in Nature blends storytelling, history, and forest trails, transporting audiences into the tension, camaraderie, and courage of the Mau Mau movement. Mutua Matheka is an architecture, travel and conceptual photographer and a Ford Foundation (Africa - No Filter) Fellow whose recent project, FRGMNTS presented Nairobi's skyline through immersive images and sounds. In conversation with Ciku Kimeria.

Celebrated poets Michelle Angwenyi, Momtaza Mehri and Willie Oeba explore meaning-making through the written word and recurring motifs in their craft. Momtaza Mehri is a British-Somali poet, essayist, editor, and researcher. Her poetry collection, Bad Diaspora Poems is the winner of an Eric Gregory Award and the 2023 Forward Prize for Best First Collection. Willie Oeba is a Spoken Word artist and 2024-2025 Ford Global Fellow who champions social justice, economic equity, and democracy. In conversation with Abigail Arunga.

In seeking new answers to the issues that plague us, we look to leading intellectuals whose work decenters Western powers and brings to the fore their moral blindspots. Award-winning Zimbabwean writer and historian, Dr. Panashe Chigumadzi and Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist, Joe Sacco gather to explore what it takes to challenge and transcend colonial hegemony. In conversation with Garnette Oluoch-Olunya.

Hay Festival Constellations creates a space for intergenerational dialogue within the Mexican cultural scene, in fields such as literature, film, music, science and architecture. At this event the astronomers Julieta Fierro and Leticia Carigi will talk to Paula Rosas about the pleasures of looking at the cosmos with curiosity and without fear: this is an event where a love of science is shared by guests of different generations.

The digital era has transformed us, to the extent that it is now possible to think about ourselves as digital beings. We no longer turn the page, but scroll on our mobile devices. What is the role of reading in this new era? Juan Villoro (Mexico) responds to these and other questions in his book No soy un robot, an essay that avoids academicism and combines autobiography with reflection and speculation. In conversation with Francesco Manetto.

Hay Festival Constellations creates a space for intergenerational dialogue within the Mexican cultural scene, in fields such as literature, film, music, science and architecture. At this event Juan Villoro and Aura García-Junco offer their thoughts as a mirror on their respective times: through essay, fiction, short stories, journalism and more, to reflect on what each one’s pen, or keyboard, can express. In conversation with Jesús Alejo.

Kevin Johansen and Liniers present Es nuestra forma de comunicarnos, which is based on the album Desde que te Madrid, recorded in the Spanish capital. This is an event that brings together two different languages ‒music and illustration‒ to make something new, with elements of humour, affinity and friendship. In conversation with Mariana H.

Juan Gabriel Vásquez is one of the most celebrated and outstanding authors in contemporary Colombian literature. At this event he will talk about his most recent book, Los nombres de Feliza, a recreation of the life of the sculptor Feliza Bursztyn, who was a freethinking artist who went beyond the limits set by the times for women like her. This rigorous novel weaves together art, history and memoir.

Hay Festival Constellations creates a space for intergenerational dialogue within the Mexican cultural scene, in fields such as literature, film, music, science and architecture. Truth, ethics and the urge to tell us the facts are all a part of good journalism. Carmen Aristegui and Miriam Ramírez will dialogue about the current state and value of a profession that has gone from being seen as «the Fourth Estate», to being mistrusted and even vilified by certain discourses and some sectors of society.

LSM Mexican sign language interpretation available