adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
WITH two days left before the curtain comes down on the Culture Week, there is nothing around Bulawayo to indicate that the nation is gripped in celebrating its cultural diversity with most locals clueless about what the event is about.Apart from the national launch held at the Amphitheatre in the city last Saturday, there has been nothing of significance that has been done to mark the week.
The launch, which marked the event’s 12-year existence, was officiated by Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa.
It was the third time the city hosted the national launch after similar honours in 2002 and 2003.
An absence of posters in the city is proof that there is no information about programmes that celebrate culture week.
If there are activities slated for this week, then they are very few.
What was envisioned was that people would set aside a day in the week and celebrate the culture week by wearing African attire or traditional wear.
However, this is not the case as people are going about their business with a care-free attitude.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Bulawayo provincial arts manager Charity Nyathi said there were various activities lined up for the province during Culture Week.
She said yesterday there were commemorations dotted around the city with a book launch and film screening set for tomorrow.
“We had commutations at SOS Primary today (yesterday) and this evening there is a book launch at Cafe Munandi. Henry the IV will be shown at the Zimbabwe Music Academy on Friday and Beethoven’s Opera Fidelio musical.
“Also on Friday there will be a poet slam at the Bulawayo theatre’s Green Room. On Saturday there will be an Africa Day Concert at the Bulawayo Theatre,” said Nyathi.
She encouraged people to celebrate culture week by wearing traditional wear and serve ethnic dishes at home, school and workplaces.
Culture Week ends this Saturday.
derick.khumalo