Four-day cultural fete by Kenya’s Unesco commission is here

Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Kenya’s landmark and the venue of KNATCOM’s cultural and anniversary celebrations running from April 12 to 15, 2023.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

By Pauline Ongaji

The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, is all colourful and lively as the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) hosts the Fourth National Cultural Celebrations and marks its 10th anniversary as a state corporation. The four-day ceremony runs from April 12, peaking on April 15 with the observance of World Art Day.

The celebrations entail a showcasing of KNATCOM’s contributions to Kenya’s development in the areas of education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. It is also an opportunity to celebrate Kenya’s rich cultural heritage and diversity, as well as to “reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, create awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions, and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development.” This is according to the event brief.

Since 2014, KNATCOM has held three national cultural celebrations of this kind; once every two years. The first edition was held at KICC, Nairobi County in 2014. The second one was hosted at the Machakos Peoples Park, Machakos County, in 2016, and the third at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu County, in 2018.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, KNATCOM was not able to hold the fourth edition in 2020. This week’s cultural ceremony at KICC thus becomes the fourth edition of this biennial celebrations by the Commission.

The celebrations will involve the participation of all counties in a grand display of Kenya’s cultural diversity and heritage, and peak with creative displays by various artists, including those from vulnerable communities in Nairobi, on April 15, to give them exposure.

Here’s a breakdown of the key activities during the four days:

  • Exhibition of cultural items by participants from various counties, drawn from state agencies and ministries that are in the education, sciences, culture, and communication and information sectors.
  • Cultural performances by teams from the counties.
  • Screening of films reflecting the theme of the ceremony, which is: “A Decade of Excellence – Enhancing National Development, Cohesion, Identity, and Pride”.
  • Digital displays of photos of Kenya's rich cultural and natural heritage, with other pictures mounted on the walkways.
  • Launch of an anniversary publication during a celebratory cocktail designed to artistically display Kenyan cuisines.
  • An art exhibition on April 15,by young artists from underprivileged areas of Nairobi.

Get a copy of this downloadable PDF that contains more information about KNATCOM and its 10-year journey as a state corporation.

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