Past projects

Creative industries

Jenga CCI - Global Project

In Kenya, JENGA CCI – Global Project Culture and Creative Industries aims at sustainable development and facilitation of the culture and creative industries through an integrative educational and funding strategy as well as the promotion of advocacy.

Jenga CC © Jenga CC © Jenga CC

Book series

Contact Zones Nairobi

Through the Contact Zone book series, the Goethe-Institut has published 27 books, documenting the art practice of various local artists, art collectives, socially relevant topics as well as those reflecting on the history of the country and growth of the Kenyan art scene.

Ink & pixels_ Article_GI website © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

Exhibition series

Sasa Nairobi

The exhibition series Sasa Nairobi is the basis of Goethe-Institut Nairobi’s work in the field of contemporary art with an emphasis on photography, video, installation, conceptual art and performance. The aim is to work with artists and curators from Kenya that have an advanced and innovative approach.

Azu © Azu © Azu

Dance

Dance Life Festival

“People are starting to see that in the evoking of emotions and thoughts and ideas, you can also have a message. People come to reflect, not just to cheer.” Adam Chienjo

Bomas of Kenya © Ray Ndikwe © Ray Ndikwe

More than a festival

Out film festival

The festival has grown in confidence, content and character over the years. And Kenya's queer community champion the festival and claim it as their own.
Laurent Bouchat, the director of the film Woubi Cheri, notes, “To watch a film surrounded by a public that share the very same life experiences and feelings is a very unique emotion you can’t get anywhere else.”

Out Screening Screening of KIKI at the Goethe- Institut Nairobi's Auditorium © Goethe-Institut Screening of KIKI at the Goethe- Institut Nairobi's Auditorium © Goethe-Institut

A musical Oral History Performance

Colonialism

“The intention was to look at people who we don’t usually associate with the fight for independence in their own countries. In Kenya, yes, we look at Dedan Kimathi, but do we look at his wife, Mukami? The story of colonialism is a personal story. It isn’t just a curriculum. There are stories behind those numbers.”

Colonialism © Courtesy © Courtesy

International Inventories Programme

Kenya is taking stock of its missing cultural artefacts globally

Now more than ever, the discussion around the state of Kenyan cultural objects abroad and the gaps left by their absence has reached a tipping point.

Out Film Festival

Shame is a dress I wear long to hide my truth

I’d never thought about shame as a luxury before. I’d never thought about shame much at all. Felt it, yes, but never tried to pin it down and ask it when, why, and how it became part of my life.

Literature

Macondo Literary Festival

Macondo Literary Festival: "Histories, stories, worlds and words“ gather at the inaugural edition of Nairobi’s new festival for book lovers.

Macondo Literary Festival Macondo Literary Festival 2019 | © Armstrong Too and Carsten Stark Macondo Literary Festival 2019 | © Armstrong Too and Carsten Stark