REVEAL COMICS ART FESTIVAL (EA) 2025 AND MAGIC OF THE SUN COMIC BOOK LAUNCH

22nd March 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economies, but it also catalyzed innovation and adaptation, particularly in the creative sectors. In Kenya, the creative economy, which contributes approximately 5% to the country’s GDP, has emerged as a critical driver of post-pandemic recovery. Art, in its various forms, has played a pivotal role in this resurgence, with the animation industry standing out as a beacon of growth and potential.

Rooted in a thriving comic industry, Kenya’s animation sector has gained international recognition for its unique storytelling, cultural authenticity, and technical prowess. The pandemic accelerated the digitization of creative processes, enabling artists to reach global audiences through online platforms. This shift has not only expanded the market for Kenyan animation but also positioned the country as a hub for creative talent in Africa.

The comic industry, which serves as a foundational pillar for animation, has flourished by blending traditional African folklore with contemporary themes, creating content that resonates with both local and international audiences. This synergy between comics and animation has fostered a creative ecosystem that supports innovation, job creation, and cultural preservation.

Roundtable discussion with H.E. Pedro Leon Cortes Ruiz (Ambassador of Colombia to Kenya) on the place of comics in promoting and enhancing global south-south cooperation during the REVEAL! Comics Art Festival EA 2025 at Maktaba Kuu, Nairobi.

To spearhead discourse on this important sector, REVEAL Comics ConversationsEA hosted the REVEAL Comic Art Festival (EA) 2025 between 14th and 22nd March 2025. The theme for this year's Festival was Comic in Education— adding fun to teaching and learning. The activities have were curated to draw attention to the exciting possibilities that can be gotten by linking comics and teaching/learning in our schools. The festical featured comic book launches, presentations and panel discussions that illuminated this conversation and shared knowledge through workshops.

Topics included publishing comics for schools, adding fun to education through comics, teaching STEM through Manga, and Women in comics. The festival also featured a keynote address by His Excellency Pedro León Cortés Ruíz who took participants through the history of comics in the (south) Americas juxtaposed with the historic struggle of black people which is a struggle for inclusion and recognition.

Yu Yamakami of Qureo Comics takes festival participants through Manga Comic designs while sharing important lessons from the comic industry in Japan during one of the interactive sessions at the festival

The highlight of the festival was during the close where REVEAL! Comics ConversationsEA launched the Magic of The Sun (Magie de Soleil/ Muujiza wa Jua) comic book produced in partnership with French Embassy in Kenya and Aide au développement de l’énergie solaire au Kenya (ADESK). The comic is a collection of 5 stories by Kenyan Comic artists curated for the classrooms with a view to teach learners on solar energy using engaging and creative approaches in a comic art form.

The MYBCF CBO was represented at the launch event and is excited to report a copy of the comic book will be available to learners through our mobile book bank service starting in April 2025. See the video from the comic book launch event held at the Alliance Francaise, Nairobi here.