adminArts Correspondent
Preparations for Culture Week commemorations that will run from May 21 to 26 are at advanced stages in all provinces. The week-long programme will be punctuated with diverse activities that depict our varied unhu/ubuntu as well as cultivate in all a sense of belonging hence instilling pride of being Zimbabwean.The official national launch that heralds the commencement of the Culture Week will be held in Matabeleland South Province, in Filabusi at Godlwayo Culture Centre on May 21 and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko was invited to be the Guest of honour.
Activities lined up for the National launch include traditional artifacts, food and herbal exhibitions from 22 exhibitors. Some of the exhibitors are Amagugu International Heritage Center which was established in 2010 out of the vision Pathisa Nyathi with the aim of preserving and promoting indigenous cultural heritage. Zimbabwe Republic Police Kuyedza Women Club will also showcase their products that they make and sell while Ministry of Gender and Women’s Affairs will also be at the showcase.
Apart from the exhibitions, there will be a chiefs’ procession whereby each chiefs will be accompanied by villagers and a poet each. Performances will be provided by Albert Nyathi (poem), Black Umfolosi (music), Jays Marabini (music), and Lerato Nqindi (poem) among other entertainers.
The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity by UNESCO in 2001 proclaimed May 21 of each year the World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Cognisant of the phenomenal growth in popularity this World Day has enjoyed hitherto, NACZ decided to make this occasion a week-long event hence the existence of the Culture Week every year. NACZ inaugurated Culture Week in 2002 after it observed that one day was too short a period to leave an impact in lives and minds of people. In addition, artists found one day not adequate to allow them to celebrate and display their works to the public.
Culture Week aims to bring together diverse arts and cultural activities of the sub-region and other parts of the world for public consumption
It also provides an opportunity for the people in Zimbabwe to appreciate the diversity of the arts and cultures of the world in addition to bringing about national, regional and international social integration through the arts and culture.
The week seeks to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and views between artists and other cultural workers within the sub-region, African continent and the world as well as encourage young people to celebrate World Culture and Africa Days
Focus will also be on encouraging members of the public to appreciate the employment generation capacity of the arts and culture industry.
This year’s Culture Week theme is “Culture Week: Towards Increased Community Participation”, and seek to encourage the participation of people from across the cultural divide in cultural activities and discourse.
The participation of communities in Culture Week will result in harmony and ownership of the programme by communities who are involved in the transmission processes as well as the enactment of culture forms.
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