GBV under spotlight

Arts Correspondent
GENDER-BASED violence is set to take centre stage at the fifth edition of the Protest Arts International Festival that runs from October 24 to 26. The festival, which brings together artistes from different parts of the world, will this year tackle the topic, which has proved to be a hot one in the country, according to festival director Daniel Maphosa.

“A dominant advocacy issue during the festival will be that of gender-based violence. We have partnered with various organisations like the Musasa Project that will showcase a play on the issue as well as a debate platform. This is an effort to get many people involved in order to tackle the issue on a broader scale,” he said.

Maphosa added that the festival was also aimed at getting the youths to participate through different platforms.
“We have put in place a vibrant programme so that we attract the attention of the younger audience. It is important to communicate to the younger generation as they are the present as well as the future of our country. By the end of the festival, our aim is not only to entertain but conscientise the youths on arts and various human rights issues,” he said. In that respect, an array of youthful artistes has been slated to perform at the festival. These include Sniper Storm, Shinsoman, Freeman, Dadza D, Spiderman and Jigazz and Sabastian Magacha who will serenade the festival audience on the closing day in Harare Gardens.

“The urban grooves movement will also take centre stage at the festival through a segment called Dance Yourself to Freedom. We chose dancehall, specifically because it is a growing genre in our country that brings conscience on different issues,” he said.

Other highlights include an acts from award-winning play from Durban, South Africa, entitled “Up in the Sky” as well as a dance production called “Droits de I’home” by Performing Arts Centre of Bloemfontein.

The plays will be shown at Alliance Francaise.
A play that was adapted from prolific award-winning and internationally acclaimed writer Dambudzo Marechera will also be featured.