JAHAZI LITERARY $ JAZZZ FESTIVAL FOR THE FIRST TIME TO HIT ZNZ ON 2 SEPT

Latest news on the Zanzibar grapevine is that a new festival is about to hit town.

In September, the 'Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival' - a first of its kind in Zanzibar ,will bring you jazz concerts; music and writing workshops; art exhibitions; talks on Zanzibar's history, Sinbad the Sailor and mythical creatures of Africa; private dinners; open mike music jamming sessions - all geared up to inspire you.

Prepare to be entertained by musicians and writers that will fill the air with the sweet sounds of jazz and talk of to you about literary delights.

Read on to find out about who is coming to entertain you…


NEWS
President to launch festival

President Ali Mohamed Shein is launching Zanzibar’s first international literary and jazz festival at the Old Fort, Stone Town, at 7pm on Friday 2 September. The President said: “I believe this festival will raise awareness on the importance of people’s culture, democracy, respect for human rights and better management of Africa’s resources.”

More news.....

Lord Malloch Brown , Former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, will be jointly launching the Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival with the President . He said: “Literature and music are powerful educators and I hope the people of Zanzibar will embrace this remarkable festival.”


A TASTER OF WHO'S COMING

Mim Suleiman: With no musical background whatsoever, Mim Suleiman left her job teaching metallurgical at The University of Birmingham to pursue her passion. She has been described as a fiery singer who never fails to indulge her audience!

She said :"I am very proud to be a part of the Jahazi festival. I am so looking forward to be performing in Zanzibar and to see all those amazing smiley faces again. It brings a great comfort to know that I can touch their souls...They always touch mine"

Tim Severin : 'The invitation to take part in the Jahazi Festival arrives even as I embark on researching my next historical novel: a story to bring my reader to the fabled Arab 'Land of Zanj' in the days of Haroun al Rashid the Caliph of Baghdad. What a brilliant opportunity for me to sample the setting and indulge my passion for the exotic.'

Moussa Diallo: Is a bass player, singer and composer born in Paris, France. The oldest son of a Danish mother and a Malian father brought up in Bamako, Mali and currently residing in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since 1998 Moussa has concentrated on performing and recording his own compositions with a stronger focus on the African sounds.

Al Campos: Born and raised in Los Angeles CA. Current resident of Copenhagen, Denmark & Los Angeles. Al Campos is a singer, trombone player, songwriter, producer and arranger.

Tishani Doshi: Is a writer and dancer of Welsh-Gujarati origin. Her first book of poems Countries of the Body won the Forward Poetry Prize for Best First Collection in 2006. Since 2001 she has worked as a contemporary dancer with the Chandralekha Group in Madras

EVENT

"Africa in the world and the world in Africa": Lord Malloch Brown's book "Globalisation, an unfinished revoloution" provides the basis for this session.

"Every Secret Thing": A passionate witness to the colossal upheaval that has transformed her native South Africa, Gillian Slovo's memoir is far more than the story of her own life.

"Dr.Livingstone I presume?" Robert Mccrum talks about Africa's most famous explorer, with special reference to his stays in Zanzibar. "This is the finest place I have known in all of Africa. An elusive place where nothing is as it seems. I am mesmerized." David Livingstone 1865

Please contact us if you are interested in holding a fringe event! The Old Fort will host the fringe events. Entry to the Old Fort is free. So far we have people from the local community that are interested in holding poetry sessions, a children’s reading tent, story telling, food & drink stalls.Deadline for applications for fringe events is 10 August.