National Literary Festival opens in Windhoek, celebrating Namibian voices

The second edition of the National Literary Festival of Namibia opened on Friday, 3 October, at the National Library & Archives, bringing together writers, readers, publishers and book lovers for what has become the country’s premier celebration of literature.Organised by the National Arts Council of Namibia through its Literature Committee, the two-day festival aims to strengthen the inclusion of Namibian literature in education, expand market access for local authors, and showcase Namibian stories to wider audiences. With workshops, readings and performances on the programme, the festival is as much about nurturing creativity as it is about amplifying Namibian voices in the literary landscape.Opening the festival, M’Kariko Amagulu, Chairperson of the Literature Committee, highlighted the role of literature in shaping society and sparking imagination. “Over the next two days we gather not only to celebrate literature in all its forms, but to affirm its role in shaping our society, nurturing critical thought and opening our imaginations to new possibilities,” Amagulu said. “This festival is more than a programme of events. It is a meeting place of voices — young and established writers, avid readers, partners and institutions, and above all the community of Namibian readers who believe in the power of the written and spoken word.”The keynote address was delivered by Dr Ellen Ndeshi Namhila, librarian, author and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Resource Mobilisation at the University of Namibia. She emphasised the importance of heritage institutions such as libraries, archives and museums as custodians of collective memory. “Heritage is not only measured in books and spoken words, but also in tangible artefacts that tell stories of where we have been and who we have been,” she said.Dr Namhila, who has written extensively on biographies, underscored the importance of documenting lived experiences. “I am passionate about writing biographies not simply to tell a story, but to ensure that our collective experiences as Namibians are not lost,” she said, urging pupils from various schools in attendance to take up the mantle of storytelling.QR CODE LINK: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1H1pjN8TcJ/

National Literary Festival opens in Windhoek, celebrating Namibian voices

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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National Literary Festival opens in Windhoek, celebrating Namibian voices

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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