Hashtags and Heritage: Culture grows symposium Uk /Kenya 2025

I had the privilege of serving as a panelist at the Culture Grows Symposium, organized by the British Council, where I presented under the theme “Hashtags and Heritage.” My session explored the intersection of digital platforms and cultural preservation, using the Page 4 Instagram channel as a case study. I highlighted how Instagram features such as Reels, collaborative posts, interactive comments, and music integration create new ways for audiences to engage with heritage. Participants can respond to photo walks, share reflections on their own pages, and extend conversations beyond the immediate audience of the walks. This participatory approach not only diversifies engagement but also connects people across geographies and backgrounds, reimagining heritage as a shared, living practice.

I shared strategies for documenting both tangible and intangible cultural narratives from historic architecture to urban walks demonstrating how digital archiving complements in-person engagement. For example, Instagram’s music feature allows audiovisual heritage to come alive: songs like Elly Wamala’s “Ebinyumu Ebyaffe” (1998), which paints scenes of Kampala, can be paired with images of the locations mentioned, letting audiences hear the song while seeing the places it celebrates. The session also considered challenges like accessibility and context while emphasizing the potential of online storytelling to amplify voices, foster dialogue, and democratize cultural knowledge.

Beyond the panels, I explored Nairobi’s Westlands, visiting sites such as Westgate Arcades, the Mall, and other notable spaces, reflecting on their histories and contemporary use. Alongside other panelists, I joined a Cinema in Nature walk in Karura Forest, curated by Sounds of Freedom, which offered a relaxed space to share knowledge, network, and learn from each other’s work. These experiences showed that heritage engagement extends beyond formal presentations, fostering reflection, collaboration, and meaningful connections.

📸 Explore highlights and more photos from the symposium here: