As countries across the world continue to re-open after a two-year toll from the pandemic, cultural festivals have been roaring back, with promoters, organisers, and ticket organisations eager to bring the much loved events back to enthusiasts.

With vaccination programmes underway and mass testing available, a number of events put tickets on sale, confident that fans would be allowed to revel and stage-dive with the risk of damage to their pockets, rather than disease being their only concern. The events, which seek to celebrate the uniqueness of the country’s art, fashion and food, also help in preserving the local cultural traditions in the regions, improves the regions image, as well as promote the locals in that destination. In some communities, they contribute immensely to feelings of social cohesion.

For two years, all festivals, which happen annually were cancelled due to the pandemic. However, the festival scene is returning. The Rusinga Festival, which failed to take place in 2020 due to the pandemic, took place in December last year, but was scaled down due to the rising Covid-19 infections. 

“The 2021 edition of the festival was our first physically interactive event since the coronavirus pandemic struck. However, we scaled it down due to concerns around the omicron variant, hence managing easier crowd control and social distancing. The past events have been so vibrant and attracted thousands of people from across the country and beyond. The festivals’ full menu is usually a mix of local cuisine, pictorial exhibition, sporting events, cultural performances featuring groups from both Subaland and beyond, Island reading series, Eminayo night, cultural pageant and tours,” says Anne Eboso founder and festival producer of the Rusinga Festival.

“For a change, this year, we chose to have literacy events, because literature will form an integral component of our cultural heritage advocacy in the subsequent editions of Rusinga Festival campaign,” she added.

Financial constraints

“It’s really difficult to compare successes of events held in a pandemic and the ones held during normal times. However, it was exciting pulling off an event right in the middle of a pandemic. Our new festival venue also provided the desired ambience,” she says.

Anne adds that whereas resource mobilisation for arts and culture based events has always been challenging, the Covid-19 pandemic has tripled the challenges.

“Very few organisations have spared sponsorships for arts and culture in the last two years. It’s probably a lesson where organisations should learn to create an emergency kitty that would save entire sectors from collapsing during a pandemic,” says Anne.

Lamu county too was coloured with events, the most recent one being the annual New Year Day Dhow Race, which has been running for over 30 years. Though the event is hosted by Peponi Hotel in Lamu, it has been able to grown into something that has united the people of Lamu.

“It is something that the whole community is involved in. Our input is to help raise the money so that the race can happen successfully. There is also a cash prize for the dhows at the end of the race,” says Elke Korschen  founder of Peponi Hotel. 

Throughout the year, various dhow races are held in Lamu. Elke adds that the event is not just for tourism, but also for the communities of the archipelago, as a way to mark the start of the year, entertainment, as well as a form of income. 

“All dhows that enter the race get paid, because there is so much work that goes into preparing the dhow for such a race. Mozambican dhows are favoured over Kenyan ones due to their shape, sturdiness and ample space on board,” she says, adding that the return of the festival has been a big blessing for locals

Up north, the Turkana Festival kicked off after taking a one-year break thanks to the pandemic.

“Many people were excited to be out of Nairobi and other parts of the country after the dusk to dawn curfew was lifted and allowed people to gather. It attracted people from Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia,” says Thoma Kipseba, Tourism Officer Turkana County.

While the event wasn’t different from past events, Covid-19 protocols affected the set up of the exhibitions because dorm tents were not allowed, thus limited exhibitors.

“Challenges included low funding and politics, because some were opposing it due to unclear reasons, but luckily it went well,” he adds.

County government support

According to Turnup Travel, a tour company that has been active in packaging, promoting, as well as documenting events, such as festivals and sporting events, Covid-19 has stood in the way of many many benefits that come with festivals.

“Events create demand for accommodation, travel and cast the spotlight on the destination from the visibility thus creating jobs, income for the local community and above all increased occupancy levels from tourist inflows thus generating revenue,” says Muthuri Kinyamu, co-founder Turnup Travel.

Muthuri adds that there is need for more corporates teaming up with travel trade to develop and amplify signature events that can both meet brand objectives and memorable consumer experiences, if festivals are to comeback stronger in the coming years. 

“We need more cooperation from the county governments to develop and communicate festival dates ahead of time for travellers to plan travel in good time.  Above all, Kenyans are festival goers, so they’ll always show up so, the onus is on event organisers to provide safe, secure and memorable experiences that are unique and not replicating what is already in place.

“Let’s continue working together in 2022 to bring more global events to Kenya, such as the Safari Rally, Redbull Quicksand, Rugby Sevens Circuit, annual festivals and building local concepts to attract attendees beyond our boarders,” Muthuri says in conclusion.