Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo-Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
THE giant is awakening.
After years of silence, the return of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) has sent excitement through Zimbabwe’s creative industry, with many celebrating the comeback of a fiesta that once transformed the capital into the region’s biggest cultural playground.
For years, HIFA was the event where the arts world gathered — a place where music, theatre, dance, fashion, poetry and visual arts collided to create unforgettable moments.
Its stages introduced audiences to local stars, hosted international performers, and gave Zimbabwean creatives a rare platform to share space with global acts. Now, organisers have announced that HIFA will return from August 3 to 9, 2026, with the theme “Up”, signalling a new chapter for one of Zimbabwe’s most recognised cultural brands.
But while the announcement has created excitement, a question is quietly spreading across the arts industry:
Is HIFA truly back, or are we witnessing a comeback still waiting to take shape?
The biggest talking point among creatives and festival followers has been the absence of an announced artiste line-up.
With the festival dates already confirmed, many are waiting for the big reveal — the performers, theatre productions, international guests, and full programme that will define the 2026 edition. For some industry players, the silence is unusual. During HIFA’s golden years, the build-up was just as exciting as the festival itself.
Months before opening day, audiences already knew the venues, daily schedules, headline acts, and international participants. The anticipation created a festival atmosphere long before the first performance.
This time, the waiting game has created mixed reactions.
Some creatives believe organisers are carefully rebuilding and will unveil a major programme at the right time, while others are questioning whether the return will match the scale and magic that made HIFA a household name. But one thing remains clear — Zimbabwe missed HIFA.
At its peak, the festival was more than an entertainment event. It was an economic and cultural force that brought life to Harare.
Hotels filled up, restaurants benefited, tourism received a boost, and thousands of artistes, vendors, and service providers found opportunities during festival week.
