Online Reporter
The Herald
6 August 1992
IN what is probably the most emphatic show of support for the sixth Zimbabwe International Book Fair, more than 7 000 people visited it on Monday, ensuring that in attendance alone this year’s event will eclipse last year’s Book Fair.
More visitors continue to flock to the Book Fair to visit the various stands to see what they can offer this year, to marvel at the growth in the number of the exhibitors and compare what they have brought this year, join the number of workshops in progress, or wander to the Open Air Theatre for entertainment.
At the writers’ workshop, discussions centred on two main issues: The difficulties that budding writers have in getting published and how literature can be fused with other art forms.
Presentations came from Olley Maruma, Albert Nyathi, Aaron Chiundura-Moyo and Andrew Whaley. Maruma who directed the film Consequences, made an extensive 40-minute presentation encompassing film, theatre, dance, music and poetry.
Film, he argued, offered the best scope for fusing “all the other forms”. Maruma called for establishment of an indigenous film industry in this country citing the powerlessness of so called local film directors because they did not have the final say.
Albert Nyathi of the Budding Writers’ Association of Zimbabwe and the Alycyti Dub Poets read from the late Dambudzo Marechera’s latest posthumous publication, Cemetery of Mind.
He then gave a spirited defence, with some examples, of the power of performance, and in the process dispelled the myth that poetry is for intellectuals. Nyathi maintained that although he is conscious of attempts to reclaim traditional art forms, such forms are not static but dynamic and adaptable.
Lessons for today:
The large turnout (over 7,000 visitors on the first day) shows a strong public interest in books, ideas, and cultural dialogue. Events like book fairs promote reading, education, and intellectual growth, which are foundational for a knowledgeable and empowered society.
The fair provided a platform for local writers, poets, and filmmakers like Olley Maruma, Albert Nyathi, and Andrew Whaley to share their works and ideas. This is important for nurturing home grown talent and creating spaces where artists can collaborate, innovate, and be recognised.
The idea of blending literature with film, music, dance, and theatre shows how interdisciplinary creativity can make art more accessible and engaging.
Albert Nyathi’s emphasis on reclaiming traditional art forms while keeping them dynamic teaches us that cultural heritage can evolve and remain relevant in modern contexts.
