Second Doek Festival a hit
The 2024 Doek Literary Festival, held in Windhoek from 21 to 24 August, was a highly anticipated celebration of writers, poets, and visual artists who have contributed to Doek! Literary Magazine. The festival featured some of Namibia's most promising storytellers alongside participants from Angola, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the USA, and Zimbabwe—making it the largest gathering in the festival’s history.Over four days, the Goethe-Institut hosted numerous conversations highlighting the successes and challenges faced by writers, editors, publishers, and literary activists from Namibia and Africa. The auditorium was transformed into an intimate and immersive space, featuring Namibian design elements such as recycled crate chairs, tin-can lights, and a photographic exhibition evoking the country's savannahs. Despite addressing the difficulties of literature on the continent, discussions ended on a hopeful note, recognizing unique efforts, particularly in Namibia, to keep reading and writing vibrant in communities.
Fulfilling a vision
“This year, the festival fulfilled Doek’s vision to nurture and grow the country’s reading and writing culture while providing a creative space for encountering the works of Namibian and African writers, poets, and visual artists,” said Rémy Ngamije, Doek’s founder and chairperson. The festival drew attendees from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), East and West Africa, the UK, and the USA, signalling Namibia's emergence as a potential literary destination.
The 2024 festival's growth and success were made possible by Bank Windhoek, its principal sponsor. “Without Bank Windhoek’s ongoing support of the arts, this festival could not have been the coming-of-age celebration it is,” Ngamije added.
The sponsorship ensured all festival events, including writing workshops, were free. These workshops allowed both aspiring and established writers to engage in nuanced discussions, paving the way for the future growth of Namibian literature on a global stage.
The festival’s website will serve as an archive, featuring biographies of participants, testimonials, images, and an official playlist capturing the festival's atmosphere, preserving this momentous celebration of literature for years to come.