In July 2025, three of the ten organisations accompanied by Africalia via our initiative to support cultural projects in Nairobi held their flagship events. First, Sarakasi Trust organised three gender based violence awareness days, centred around the powerful and thought-provoking production ‘Voices of the Silent’. Upstage Limited hosted the sixth edition of the Dance Life Festival, Kenya’s biggest dance showcase event. And lastly, the Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre presented the Climate Justice Art Festival, a cultural day full of culture for a greener future.
Voices of the Silent
Gender based violence is a topic we must speak out about and denounce. From July 2nd to 4th, Sarakasi Trust has organised three gender based violence awareness days. The Jericho, Kayole and Mathare neighbourhoods each hosted a performance of the thought-provoking artistic production ‘Voices of the Silent’, which spurred raw and open discussions among audiences. Following each performance, Sarakasi Trust facilitated a panel exchange with legal representatives, artivists, case workers, and victims. They discussed crucial issues like the existing legal framework, different forms of gender based violence, and how to report it. The event drew about 1000 people in total.
Dance Life Festival
From July 4th to 6th, Upstage Limited hosted the Dance Life Festival, Kenya's biggest dance showcase event. From the National Theatre to Hilton Square, Nairobi's city centre was transformed into one big dancefloor! Featuring performances by dancers, musicians and filmmakers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, the DRC, Mali, South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark, the sixth edition of the Dance Life Festival was the biggest and most internationally diverse yet.
Leading up to the festival, Upstage Limited also conducted four community dance workshops in Kangemi, Kibera, Kayole, and Industrial Area, as well as a mixed-ability masterclass. The festival thereby directly engages audiences for whom performance art training is often less accessible.
Dance Life Festival in the press
Climate Justice Art Festival
The Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre organised the first edition of the Climate Justice Art Festival on July 12th in Dagoretti South Constituency. The festival hosted twelve artists across different disciplines whose performances navigated the intersection between art and climate justice. They transformed open community spaces into platforms for education, advocacy, and engagement on climate change, sparking conversations and bringing climate justice to life. The festival thereby provided a platform for young creatives and activists to address issues that affect their livelihoods. Over 300 residents of Dagoretti South Constituency attended the festival.
About the initiative
Africalia has teamed up with Sarakasi Trust, Upstage Limited and the Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre in the framework of the initiative to support to ten cultural organisations in Nairobi. By supporting the organisation of their innovative events, Africalia aims to unlock the great potential of Kenya’s culture sector and its bustling creative scene, strengthening the network of creatives and extending the accessibility of culture.
Images ©Sarakasi Trust, ©Upstage Limited and ©Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre
