Rewind, Remix, Reclaim is an artistic exploration of the legacy of the 1985 UN World Conference on Women, held in Nairobi. As the title suggests, the festival sought to reflect on the impact of the conference and its accompanying forum, examining the artistic, political and activist practices that emerged from that pivotal moment.
It also challenged participants to assess the relevance of these movements today and consider how they might inspire change in the current East African context.
Presented by Alliance Française de Nairobi and Goethe-Institut Nairobi – with support from the French-German Cultural Cooperation Fund and in partnership with UN Women East and Southern Africa – the festival commemorates the conference’s 40th anniversary through dynamic activities.
These included self-defense classes, artist talks, panel discussions, exhibitions, film screenings, and creative workshops, all curated in a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates the past while envisioning the future of gender equality.
“The idea that all women are sisters, trapped in one and the same form of oppression, has long been up for debate, not least due to an intervention by the American Combahee River Collective in 1977, in which the term intersectionality was coined,” said director at the Goethe-Institut in Kenya, Cristina Nord.
During the conference in Nairobi, it became clear that the days of an idealized sisterhood should be a thing of the past. For it was dominated by white feminism, and silenced dissonant voices and experiences,” she added.
“The idea to explore the legacy of the UN World Conference on Women in the anniversary year 2025 needed supporters. We reached out to artists, intellectuals, film workers, performers, musicians, deejays, city guides, yoga practitioners from Kenya, and the curator Wanjeri Gakuru, who put it all together,” stated director of the Alliance Française in Nairobi, Charles Courdent.
“The festival Rewinds to the voices and moments of the 1985 conference, remixes them with today’s feminist movements and activism, reimagining and critiquing the strategies set out 40 years ago and reclaims the unfinished goals of 1985,” added Courdent.
Through an open call, four female artists were selected to create works that reflected on specific topics discussed during the conference four decades ago. They also delved into what progress has been made by society thus far.
The artworks invite the audience to reflect on their topics, some even through participatory formats.
“The festival has been an excellent bridge between several feminist realities and shared joys from across the globe. There’s a sense of kinship and continuity evident across the intergenerational panel conversations, film screenings, comedy performances and art exhibitions,” said the festival curator Wanjeri Gakuru.
“Women everywhere and across time simply desire a better world for themselves and others. It’s been great to gather and build on the gains of the 1985 conference and find possible ways forward,” added Gakuru.
The festival also commemorated the conference by revisiting its activities – such as self- defense courses, artists’ talks, workshops, and talks in a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.
Some participants from the original conference featured in the panels. Additionally, both artists and humanitarians from various groups will provide perspectives on today´s gender equality or lack thereof.
The thought-provoking 11-day programme sought to engage with the public both on an intellectual and an emotional level, highlighting the gaps that societies and communities must fill to create a world that condemns violence against women and recognizes gender equality.
