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Kundai Marunya Arts Correspondent
Hot on the heels of an insightful participation at the prestigious 21st edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Elefsina, Greece, Edzai Isu Trust’s executive director O’Brien Makore is set to host a workshop for emerging festival managers in Harare.
Makore, who was the county’s sole representative at the recently held Atelier organised by the European Festivals Association (EFA), will share the knowledge he gained with his local counterparts at an event to be held on July 21 in Highfield.
Edzai Isu is a community based theatre organisation based in Highfield.
The organisation uses unconventional venues to host arts events and festivals, bringing art to the people.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Makore said his trip to Greece was insightful.
“The experience was both refreshing and insightful,” he said. “I had the unique opportunity to connect with fellow festival managers from across the world as well as to learn about festival management in face of the changing world from the great mentors.
“Additionally, got to explore and learn about the rich cultural history of the city of Elefsina which earned it a title as the 2023 European capital of culture.”
Covid-19 disrupted life as people knew it, and the arts industry was among those that suffered a heavy blow.
A majority of events and festivals vanished while some are still struggling to cope with the changing world. This is just one of many changes that has hit the arts in recent years.
Makore said one of the key lessons he learnt from his visit to Greece was how festivals can adapt to new challenges.
“While in Greece I learned a number of lessons pertaining festivals,” he said. “As the world continues to change, festivals too face a number of adaptive challenges which require festival managers to be adaptive to ensure festivals continue to provide a bridging platform with a direct link between citizens and the civil society structures as well as the government.”
Makore said festivals can transform communities.
“Festivals and arts in general have the impeccable power to regenerate and transform urban communities as well as spur economic development,” he said.
“For instance, the city of Elefsina, which used to be the industrial city of Greece, has been degenerating following the closure of industries but now is turning its fortunes around by utilising arts and culture as the anchor for its transformation.
“Some of formerly disused factories and buildings are now being transformed into creative spaces, in the process creating employment opportunities for the youth while activating local cultural tourism.”
Makore said he will share knowledge that will help grow local festivals and arts in general.
“With some of the festivals in Zimbabwe failing to grow and at worst closing down, I’m planning to conduct a training workshop with other emerging festival managers in Zimbabwe so that I can share with them the experience and knowledge I have acquired from the Atelier for Young Festival Managers,” he said.
“The workshop will be conducted in Highfield, the cultural rich and second oldest township in Harare.”
leeroy
Online Reporter