The London Political Summit and Awards is delighted to welcome our first Honorary Guest Speaker, H.E. Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, and Summit Co-Chair, Amb. Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, to the Festac Africa Festival in Kisumu County, Kenya.
We are honored to welcome esteemed leaders and dignitaries to the Festac Africa Festival in Kisumu County, which will be held from August 25th to September 1st, 2024, at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu Mamboleo. This historic event has been significantly elevated by the presence of H.E. Olusegun Aremu Matthew Obasanjo, H.E. Raila Odinga, H.E. Governor Nyong’o, H.E. Ruth Odinga, H.E. Dorothy Nyong’o, H.E. Emily Nyaribo, and H.E. Amb. Josephine Ojiambo. Their participation has taken the festival to new heights. We are thrilled to celebrate African culture and unity together in this vibrant region of Kisumu, known for its cultural energy, heritage, and hospitality. The festival promises to be a memorable experience for all.
The Historic Context of Festac
Festac, short for the “Festival of Arts and Culture,” traces its origins to the historic Festival of Black Arts (FESTAC ’77), held in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1977. This monumental cultural event celebrated African culture and heritage on a global scale. FESTAC ’77 brought together artists, musicians, writers, and thinkers from across Africa and the African diaspora to showcase the richness of African traditions and arts and to foster a sense of unity and shared identity among people of African descent.
The festival continued a movement to reclaim and celebrate African cultural identity following centuries of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. It provided a platform for African and diaspora communities to express their histories, struggles, and aspirations through various forms of art and culture.
Why Kisumu County?
Kisumu County, located in western Kenya along the shores of Lake Victoria, holds significant historical, cultural, and political relevance, making it a fitting location for a modern Festac event:
- Cultural Hub: Kisumu is home to the Luo people, one of Kenya’s largest ethnic groups, known for their rich cultural traditions. The region has a vibrant arts scene, with music, dance, and traditional crafts central to its cultural identity.
- Historical Significance: Kisumu has played an important role in Kenya’s history, particularly in the post-independence era. It is the birthplace of prominent political figures, including Raila Odinga, a key leader in Kenyan politics and a symbol of the struggle for democracy in the country.
- Political Relevance: Given H.E. Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga’s stature as a senior statesman and a former Prime Minister of Kenya, hosting Festac in Kisumu under his patronage adds a layer of political significance. It highlights Kisumu’s role in Kenya’s national narrative and Odinga’s influence in fostering African unity and cultural revival.
- Strategic Location: Kisumu’s location by Lake Victoria connects it to other East African nations, making it a strategic gateway for cross-border cultural exchanges. This aligns with Festac’s broader goal of promoting pan-African unity.
The Modern Festac in Kisumu
Reviving Festac in Kisumu not only honors the legacy of FESTAC ’77 but also reinforces the importance of cultural diplomacy in contemporary Africa. The event serves as a platform to address modern challenges facing the continent while celebrating the cultural diversity that unites it.
All of us at the London Political Summit are excited to share in this historic Festac festival in Kisumu. We believe that this festival will continue to bridge historical legacies with present-day aspirations for a united and culturally empowered Africa. It also reaffirms Kenya’s role as a leader in both the political and cultural spheres within the continent. We look forward to welcoming H.E. Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and Amb. Dr. Josephine Ojiambo at this year’s 9th Annual London Political Summit and Awards 2024, in October at the House of Parliament, London.
