Culture, business, and community engagement take centre stage in Mombasa today as the sixth edition of the Firi Cultural Festival gets underway, bringing together hundreds of people for a weekend of performances, networking, and discussions aimed at celebrating heritage while creating economic opportunities.
The two-day festival opens with a gala dinner on Friday before moving to Mama Ngina Waterfront Park on Saturday, where visitors will take part in cultural exhibitions, enjoy local cuisine, watch live performances, and attend business discussions.
Organised by Asmali Media Events and PR Company under the leadership of its founder, Ahmed Mohamed, the festival is being held in partnership with Tatu City, Radio Generation, the Mombasa County Government, Stima Sacco, Vida Drinks, Kenya Wildlife Service, Jameel Prime Apartments, among other partners.
Ahmed Mohamed, organizer of the two-day festival, says Mombasa was chosen because of its richness in culture and tourism and as a gateway to East Africa.
Firi is a Somali word loosely translated to mean "look", but it is widely used to draw attention. Although the festival was created as a celebration of culture and a platform to encourage business partnerships, it has also become a space where members of the community raise concerns about the challenges they continue to face because of negative perceptions.
The event was first held in Nairobi in 2018 and has since grown into an annual celebration. This year's edition marks the third time it is being hosted in Mombasa, a city organisers say offers the right blend of culture, tourism, and business.
Throughout the weekend, the festival will showcase traditional dances, poetry, live music and local delicacies, giving visitors an opportunity to experience different aspects of culture while interacting with businesses and exhibitors.
Entrepreneurs, government officials, scholars, and artists are also expected to take part in a business forum that will focus on opportunities within the community, cultural appreciation, and issues affecting its growth.
Friday's gala dinner will bring together business leaders and cultural figures to celebrate achievements and build new partnerships ahead of the weekend activities.
Organisers say participating companies will benefit from brand visibility through banners, merchandise and digital platforms while interacting directly with festival-goers through exhibitions and other activities.
The festival continues to position itself as more than a cultural celebration by creating a meeting point where heritage, business and community dialogue come together to inspire partnerships and strengthen social and economic ties