This year’s Kenyan American cultural and drama festival opened in Atlanta over the weekend where performers showcased their artistic talents through theatre.
The event, whose theme is “Living by God’s Promises” saw hundreds of Kenyans from different cities in United States gather at the Kenyan American Community Church in Marietta, some 15 kilometers West of the Georgian capital.
On Sunday, the fete was marked with pomp and colour as performers from four regions took to the stage with plays exploring various topics ranging from moral corruption, administrative mismanagement to pastoral impropriety.
They included Powder Springs, Delk, Kennesaw and Gwinnet Districts.
Every year, Kenyans living in the South Eastern region of the United States get together to showcase their culture through performing arts and cultural exposition.
“The standards in this year’s performances are very high,” said Mr Chege Maina, one of the adjudicators of this year’s festival.
“Through drama, these people are telling us about themselves, the successes and challenges they face as immigrants and they do it so creatively,” added Mr Maina, who has attended all the shows since the festival began in 2007.
The festival, which is spread out through the year, features plays, poetry, traditional dances, fashion show and a cultural exhibition.
Patricia Wanga, who had travelled from Jacksonville, Florida, told the Nation that she was impressed by Sunday’s performance.
“It is a clear testament that despite being far away from our motherland, we haven’t lost cognisance of the fact that our society is a beautiful cultural mosaic,” he said.
The event closes on Sunday, October 26 at 4pm when the winners will be announced.
-nation.co.ke
