Campaign Summary: "The Rest Festival"
Overview
“The Rest Festival” was a multidisciplinary arts event held from July 31 to August 3, 2024, at Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya. The festival showcased the artistic works of 21 Sudanese artists—including painters, filmmakers, designers, and photographers—who participated in a six-month residency program.
The festival aimed to:
- Raise awareness about the Sudanese conflict’s impact on individuals and communities.
- Encourage dialogue on navigating the future amidst displacement and exile.
- Highlight cross-cultural solidarity in rebuilding and healing.
- Showcase the power of artistic communities in exile to drive meaningful conversations and change.
Key Partners
- USAID – Primary sponsor of the festival.
- Circle Art Gallery – Hosting and event production partner.
- Vendors – Provided food, beverages, stage setup, lighting, sound, and projection equipment.
Target Audience
The festival attracted a diverse audience of 2,500 attendees, including:
- Sudanese refugees in Nairobi displaced by the war.
- Migrants and displaced individuals.
- Donors and sponsors.
- International NGOs.
- Nairobi’s creative sector.
- General Nairobi public.
- Local and international press.
Event Highlights
- Day 1: Opening ceremony with speeches from artists, staff, partners, and sponsors, followed by an art exhibition and installations.
- Day 2: Screening of films by resident filmmakers, some accompanied by artist discussions.
- Day 3: Guided exhibition tours led by artists and the lead curator.
- Day 4: Concert by the resident musician, preceded by a discussion.
Media & Communication Strategy
A robust social media campaign ran under the hashtags #RestTheGuns and #ResetSudan, generating 74,000 views on Instagram alone for the internal artist interviews.
- Video interviews were conducted on Day 1 with attendees, capturing their experiences.
- Local and international media, including DW and French press, covered the event.
- Campaign content is archived on The Rest Instagram page.
Outcomes & Impact
🎨 Artistic Growth & Career Advancement
- Three artists gained full engagement with Kenyan galleries, increasing their visibility and opportunities.
- One film produced during the residency won Best Short Film at Juba Film Festival.
- Another film was selected for Festival International du Court-Métrage.
🗣️ Audience & Community Engagement
- Attendees shared powerful reflections on the event:
"The Rest allowed me for the first time to call myself an artist out loud." – Muna Mutasim
"The Rest was exactly what I needed. A home away from home." – Rafa Renas
"The Rest was the best artistic experience for me in my career." – Nadir Minallah - Audience testimonials highlighted the festival’s emotional and communal impact:
"The art was beautiful and moving, hearing directly from the artists was even more poignant. Their openness, generosity, and true artsmanship (and artswomanship) was truly a privilege to witness."
"It was needed. The Sudanese community needed to be together and listen to their music. It was healing."
"I particularly enjoyed seeing people of all ages getting together with a desire to learn more about the struggle in Sudan through an artistic lens."
Challenges & How They Were Overcome
1️⃣ Mental Health & PTSD: Many artists suffered from severe PTSD due to the war. While psychosocial support was provided pre-event, emotional triggers required continuous care and adaptability throughout the festival.
2️⃣ Funding Delays: Payments arrived irregularly, requiring the team to be self-sufficient between milestones.
3️⃣ Legal Barriers: Some participating artists lacked legal residency papers in Kenya, complicating payment processing.
✅ Solution: Transparency, resilience, and seeking expert advice. Kenyan legal professionals guided the team through payment and logistical challenges.
Supporting Materials
📸 Event photos, videos, and campaign content: Instagram Archive.
📰 Media coverage: DW & French press features (additional links available upon request).