Culture Month closing ceremony today

Arts Reporter

The curtain comes down today as the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) in partnership with the European Union hosts the belated culture month closing ceremony. 

The Culture Month is held from May 1 to May 31 and offers a window to promote and showcase the diversity of Zimbabwean culture encompassing both the indigenous and contemporary traits of cultural expressions.

The event will be held at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and will end with the theme “Promoting Cultural Diversity, Unity and Peace”. 

According to NACZ spokesperson, Rodney Ruwende, all was set for the closing ceremony with a high powered delegation expected to grace the event. 

“The ceremony will see the presentation of prizes for artists who took part in the United in Diversity Competition which was commissioned by the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Jobst Von Kirchamann in May at Chitungwiza Arts Centre,” he said.

“About 70 artists submitted their works in the women, youth and open categories and 50 of these works will be displayed at the NGZ starting today until next week Friday.”

Ruwende said the ceremony will also see pupils from 10 schools competing in a drawing competition and being awarded prizes.

“The ceremony will be attended by the EU Ambassador, Perm Sec for Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Dr Thokozile Chitepo, Government officials, private sector entities, and Cultural and Creative Sector practitioners.”

Under the culture month also falls the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, held every year on May 21. 

The day celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of inter-cultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development. 

The United Nations General Assembly first declared this World Day in 2002, following UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognising the need to “enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development, and global peaceful coexistence”.