Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
The Bulawayo City Council has called on residents to join this year’s Bulawayo Day celebrations on June 1 as the City of Kings commemorates 162 years with a parade showcasing the city’s heritage, culture and community spirit.
In a statement, the council said the parade route would pass through key landmarks that reflect Bulawayo’s identity and pride.
“Be part of the carnival walk as we celebrate Bulawayo’s rich heritage, culture and community spirit. Let’s walk together and celebrate our city in style,” reads part of the statement.
The celebrations will be followed by the Bulawayo Arts Festival (BAF), which runs from June 2 to 6 under the theme: “Building Bridges, Preserving Connections.”
Organisers said this year’s edition will feature five days of artistic expression, cultural exchange and community engagement aimed at strengthening connections and celebrating identity through the arts.
Among the highlights is a live performance by multi-award-winning gospel-jazz musician Vuyo Brown on June 6 at the City Hall Car Park.
Organisers described the concert as “an unforgettable night of music, connection and pure artistic energy,” adding that it would operate on a “Pay What You Want” basis to make art accessible to everyone.
A full programme for the festival is expected to be released soon.
BAF was launched in 2020 to commemorate the declaration of June 1 as Bulawayo Day and to celebrate the city’s anniversary since its establishment in 1894.
The annual festival is designed to promote local heritage, grow the creative economy and strengthen cultural tourism in Bulawayo.
