Book Bunk and Hay Festival Global are proud to announce the launch of the Nairobi Literature Festival (Nairobi Litfest) 2025 programme. The festival will take place from 26–29 June across three historic public libraries; McMillan Memorial Library, Kaloleni Library and Eastlands Library. Now in its fourth edition, the festival returns with a robust programme of 43 sessions featuring over 60 thinkers, writers, poets, artists and educators from across Africa and the globe.
In 2024, Book Bunk and Hay Festival joined forces for a new chapter in the festival’s journey, presenting a collaborative edition that brought together over 60 writers across 32 events. it reached an audience of 1,400+ in person and online. This partnership with Hay Festival Global seeks to increase the festival’s international presence and expand its audience reach.
Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch said:
"As an international charity, we reach millions of people every year through our one-of-a-kind Festivals, Forums, programmes, and digital platforms. We are delighted to partner with Book Bunk as co-hosts of Nairobi Litfest for the second year running, expanding our work in new and engaging ways for audiences in Nairobi and online."
2025 Theme: Exploring Alternative Knowledge Systems
Inspired by Octavia E. Butler’s quote, “There is no end to what a living world will demand of you,” this year’s festival theme, Alternative Knowledge Systems, is an urgent invitation to explore radical thought. At a time when the world is contending with crises of inequality, apathy and disinformation, Nairobi Litfest seeks to gather voices that imagine different futures through literature, music, art, governance, and archives.
Book Bunk Co-Founder and Nairobi Litfest Co-Director Angela Wachuka said:
"We are excited to once again partner with Hay Festival Global and gather people from all over the world in Nairobi, anchoring critical conversations in the city's public libraries. This annual festival is a great opportunity to showcase the libraries Book Bunk is restoring as part of Nairobi's crucial public infrastructure - safe spaces where people can access alternative thinking at a time especially fraught with polarisation. We welcome everyone to these precious Palaces for The People."
The 2025 programme features masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, book talks, performances and a dedicated children’s festival.
Highlights include:
Masterclasses on poetry, podcasting, photography, and writing with luminaries like Ayanna Lloyd Banwo(OCM Bocas Prize winner), Luis Tato (World Press Photo winner), Momtaza Mehri (Forward Prize winner) and Chinny Ukata and Astrid Madimba (Independent Podcast of the Year winners).
Radical media and archival practices explored through sessions led by Africa is a Country, Ukombozi Library, and Panashe Chigumadzi.
A vibrant children’s corner with storytelling, book giveaways, and interactive workshops featuring authors Venna Odhiambo, Velia Vidal, and storyteller Orpah Agunda.
Panel discussions like 'The Woman as Free', featuring award-winning Leila Slimani, Goretti Kyomuhendo, and Ayanna Lloyd Banwo, and 'Everything is Political' with Ntone Edjabe, Agustín Laó-Montes, and Rosie Olang', will examine art and activism as tools for change. Award-winning authors, artists and academics including In Koli Jean Bofane, Prof. Kithaka wa Mberia, Pankaj Mishra and Joe Sacco will also share their insights throughout the festival.
Hay Festival Global International Director Cristina Fuentes la Roche said:
"Nairobi Litfest is a space where great minds meet, celebrating the best of local and global literature with artists, writers and thinkers championing new perspectives. Against a backdrop of global challenges, here is an event that champions the spirit of collective inspiration. Join us in person and online!"
Main festival partners for this edition include Open Society Foundations and the British Council, with the latter supporting the partnership between Hay Festival Global and Book Bunk as part of their UK/Kenya Season 2025. Hawthornden Foundation and Ford Foundation – Malunga: Network for Global Justice are supporting the festival as well, with library venues provided as part of Book Bunk’s partnership with Nairobi City County.
The festival programme is also supported through programming partnerships with Text Book Centre, The Embassy of France & Alliance Française de Nairobi, the UK High Commission, The Embassy of Belgium in Kenya, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Africa Is a Country, Ukombozi Library, Book Aid International and others.