Alliance Française celebrates 70 years in Kenya

Speaking to Music In Africa after the event, AF director Cédric Taurisson said the anniversary was meant to “celebrate in a big way the partnership we have with the community here.”

“The anniversary was an opportunity to recall and reaffirm the long-term cooperation that exists between France and Kenya in the field of arts and culture," he said. "We also wanted to mark the enduring nature of our institution as a platform for cultural exchanges between French and Kenyan music cultures as well as the French-speaking cultures.”

AF was founded in 1949 before Kenya’s independence in 1963. For four decades, its main activity was the teaching of French and the promotion of the French language in Kenya. It is credited for laying the foundation for intercultural dialogue between Francophone and Anglophone Africa. In 1997, the AF began rolling out cultural programmes.

Its most successful project is Spotlight on Kenyan Music, a series of compilation albums launched in 2005 to identify, develop and promote contemporary Kenyan music. A final selection of 11 musicians were featured in each of the six volumes released.

"The institution has served as a launching pad for numerous local artists, especially Spotlight on Kenyan Music, which should be relaunched with the support of the county governments," Afro-fusion musician Makadem said. "In 2010, AF sponsored my travel, per diem and accommodation en route Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar and even got me tours on my way back with concerts at AF Dar es Salaam and AF Arusha."

"AF Nairobi is the first institution to support me when I was starting up as a live band act in 2005. Mid this year they helped my band secure visas to Reunion and asked their embassy to help expedite the issuance of our seven visas to Reunion for the Indian Ocean Music Market where I was selected to perform.”

The institution has over the years also sponsored the album recordings of various artists, most notably Yunasi's Nang’i Amana (2002), Abbi’s Mudunia (2003), the late Achien’g Abura's Spirit of a Warrior (2004) and Suzanna Owiyo's Yamo Kudho (2007).

“Our implication in the arts and cultural sector in Kenya has been without any doubt consistent and exemplary for supporting and promoting local artists and creativity across all artistic disciplines,” AF Nairobi head of cultural affairs Harsita Waters said.

Kenyan author and music producer Tabu Osusa, who is a member of the AF board, said the institution would continue supporting local artists and partner with various cultural bodies.

"Funding opportunities for local musicians are hard to come by in Kenya," he said. "However, musicians such as Makadem and Winyo have directly benefited from the financial support offered to artists by AF. I also call upon the county government to commit funding support to the arts because the arts preserve culture and heritage for future generations aside from creating jobs and produce tax revenue."

AF has also presented to the Kenyan audience prominent regional and international musicians under its Showcase Wednesday monthly concert series. The concerts are aimed at exposing local audiences and musicians to emerging genres. Some of the artists include Manu Dibango and the Soul Makossa Gang (Cameroon), Salif Keita (Mali), Ismael Lo (Senegal), Habib Koite (Mali), Lokua Kanza (DRC) and Alif Naaba (Burkina Faso).

“Showcase Wednesday continues to provide a platform for Kenya, East African and international artists to share their creativity, get exposure and build audiences for their music,” Waters said. “It is only through commitment and sustained efforts that the AF, in partnership with local stakeholders, can contribute to making a positive difference to the careers of so many creatives.”

As part of its 70th anniversary celebrations, the AF held a number of special concerts that began in mid-September. The first concert was by French jazz group Les Metanuits on 14 September. On 18 September, the AF hosted award-winning French guitarist Thibault Cauvin while Malian musician Vieux Farka Touré held his second performance at the AF on 21 September.

The celebrations came to an end on 25 September, with a performance from artists who were discovered through the Spotlight on Kenyan Music project. They included Lelele Afrika, a classic taarab band, Makadem, Juma Tutu and Gargara, an all-female group from northern Kenya.