Once again, it’s on!

Party” with several acts both local and international billed to entertain people.
As is always the case with the official opening, there will be fireworks display that will illuminate the skies plus eye-catching performances to celebrate the six-day festival.
This year, the festival is all about engagement of people in spheres politically and artistically, in what festival director and founder Emmanuel Bagorro described as “creative engagement.”
Bagorro said the event is a platform for “engagement, more diversity, more collaboration and more depth and depth in terms of coming together of cultural, artistic and business community.”
He added that the festival would focus more on changing the mind-frame of how people perceive Zimbabwe.
“It creates an environment for people to gather and celebrate. Is an engagement party where people unashamedly gather to celebrate as Zimbabweans.
“It is an engagement of all sorts. As we celebrate the cultural diversity we have to keep in mind that there are some people who cannot afford and as active citizens we have to give a damn,” he said.
And true to his words, the line-up of performers promises to enliven the festival and make it live up to its theme.
As in the previous years, the main stage promises fireworks with one of the major collaborations including Chiwoniso Maraire and victor Kunonga in a concert dubbed True African Vibe, Albert Chimedza and Indonesian vocalist Peni Chandraini, Umoja and others.
Sister Chi – Chiwoniso Maraire – is also set to serenade fans with a collaboration with “Mamurega” hit-maker and percussive jazz exponent Victor Kunonga.
The combination would be a match made in heaven with Kunonga being a wizard on the acoustic guitar while Sister Chi knows her stuff on the mbira.
Both artistes are gifted with unique vocal skills and seductive voices.
Man of the moment Winky D real name Wallace Chirumiko, the self-proclaimed “Messi WeReggae” is billed to illuminate the event with his hits like “Musarova Big Man”, “One One” and “Takaipa Takaipa” among others.
Mic Inity is scheduled to perform at 7 Arts Theatre on April 30 for what appears to be a must-attend gig. Mic Inity short for Microphone Unity, is a young dynamic musician whose passion “for engaging not only the audience but other musicians has seen him rise up to be titled ‘the Crown Prince of Reggae in Zimbabwe’.”
Then there is the Congolese Lokua Kanza who is making a return to Harare after having thrilled revellers during the La Voix edition.
Another big artiste coming to Hifa this year is Boubacar Traore from Mali who is expected to thrill the mature audiences.
There are groups from Holland, France, Indonesia and Britain that are also expected to bring in a novel dimension to the festival, bringing in what their countries have on offer in terms of culture and art.
First Street will reverberate with street performances and people will have a chance to watch what Hifa is all about free of charge when various groups entertain them.
Poetry lovers are also in for a treat with the “Spoken Word” slot featuring the likes of Chirikure Chirikure, Albert Nyathi and Mbizvo Chirasha, among others, expected to do what they know best courtesy of Hivos.
Theatre buffs should look forward to a memorable outing with the likes of Christopher Mlalazi and Blessing Hungwe expected to take theatre lovers on a voyage at the Hifa Direct sponsored by the British Council.