Acclaimed Nigerian novelist Chigozie Obioma will be among the list of distinguished authors set to
attend the fourth edition of the Macondo Literary Festival next month, officials have announced.
Macondo Book Society in collaboration with eKitabu, a publishing company that delivers accessible
print, audio, video, and digital content will host the festival at the Kenya Cultural Center from September
20- 22.

Chigozie is the author of two novels, The Fishermen (2015) and An Orchestra of Minorities (2019)
which were both shortlisted for The Booker Prize. He has also won multiple literary awards for his work,
described as exceptionally unique and captivating.

“We are happy to host this year’s literary festival, a vibrant celebration of storytelling and creativity. It is an honor to welcome such distinguished authors and to provide a platform for engaging discussions,
inspiring ideas, and a shared love of literature,” said Anja Bengelstorff, director Macondo Literary Festival.

Extend festival The theme for this year’s Festival is “The Sea is History,” inspired by a poem of the same name by Caribbean Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. “

The 2024 edition will extend the festival’s reach to the spheres of the Swahili Sea and the Indian Ocean to pay tribute to the historical connections with Africa that exist in story, art, technology, and
cultural memories,” she added.

Other distinguished international guests attending will be M.G Vassanji, Janika Oza (both Canada);
Hamza Koudri (Algeria), Shubnum Khan (South Africa) Shubhangi Swarup (India); Johary Ravaloson (Madagascar), Jeferson Tenório (Brazil), and João Melo (Angola).

Participating Kenyan authors will be announced in due course.

“The success of Chigozie and the themes he explores will align well with the interests of the young writers and book lovers in Kenya making his participation a highly anticipated aspect of the festival,” said an
official from eKitabu.

Macondo Book Society is a nonprofit organization founded by journalist Anja Bengelstorff and awardwinning Kenyan author Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, to organize regular literary festivals and other events that promote literature and authors of and from Africa beyond linguistic borders.