adminMellissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
Ever imagined yourself happy, partying and drinking on the hectic and intimidating streets of Harare without fearing the police with batons? This will come to reality next month when the Harare International Carnival comes to life as people will, for the first time, be free to party on the streets consuming alcohol without fear of being arrested.
As much as public drinking is prohibited in Zimbabwe, organisers of the carnival, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, have roped in the Harare city fathers and ZRP who have allowed them to have people consuming alcohol during the carnival street party on May 24.
This is all in a bid to make the Harare International Carnival a “real carnival” and have people loosening up as the street party is the soul of the carnival.
Last year, the event was more of a street procession as there were no parties along the route and food booths were non-existent. This year, the carnival route has been changed and will bring the carnival to the central business district as opposed to last year where the carnival ended away from the people and the streets.
A carnival is a “street party” and a festival of colours, which is transformed into costumes, music, dance and an array of different ethnic food and art, which attracts people from within a country and around the globe. People dress up in funky costumes, take to the streets and party like no one is watching.
Addressing guests at the Carnival media launch in Harare on Thursday, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said the Harare International Carnival running under the theme “Celebrating our diversity” was being held to promote unity among Zimbabweans through celebrating their diversity and to attract tourists to the country.
He said the carnival was a borrowed concept for Zimbabwe, and as such the idea was still being refined and modelled in accordance with Zimbabweans cultural values, beliefs and aspirations.
“It is quite impressive to note that, though in its infancy, the carnival concept has been well received across the generality of Zimbabweans and more importantly by the national leadership. It is our hope that in the future, Zimbabwe’s economy will be getting a big boost from this annual event,” said Mzembi.
ZTA chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said this year’s edition would be the real deal.
“We have made a lot of improvements compared to last year and also put the notes we learnt from other carnivals we attended in Brazil to action. Carnivals are all about having fun and that’s just what people are going to have,” said Kaseke.
True to his word, organisers have lined up an action packed, exciting and exquisite 10-day cocktail of events that will cater for the interests of the generality of people.
The carnival which kicks off on May 16 will begin with the crowning of Carnival Queen Zimbabwe at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
This year ZTA will not be organising the event alone as they have partnered ZimGossip models — home to successful models such as former Miss Zimbabwe Malaika Mushandu and Rumbidzai Mudzengerere to assist with the organising of the pageant. The carnival queen will be the face of the carnival as she will be responsible for leading the street party and will also act as an ambassador for the country.
A Carnival Jazz night will be held on the following night at Pamuzinda, organised by former Jazz 105 boss, Josh Hozheri. Robert Zhuwao will take over on May 18 with the hosting of an exotic night at the Red Fox hotel. ZimGossip models will run the show again on May 19 when they host a carnival fashion show exhibiting the latest fashion trends and carnival wear. Gospel lovers have not been left out as a carnival gospel competition will be held at HICC in the evening of May 19.
Those who miss their heydays will be taken back in time on May 20 when ZimPromo hosts a Blast from the past event at the Meikles hotel. People will be expected to be dressed in clothes which used to be worn in the 70s and music played will strictly be old skool. The City of Harare will on May 21 show its support for the carnival when they host a welcome reception for the 23 countries who will be gracing the carnival.
Another Carnival Bira will be held this year, but the real one this time. The bira will be organised by the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs. As part of the Africa Day celebrations, Paul Brickhill will on May 22 hold an Africa Day discussion at the Book Cafe. One of the main highlights of the carnival will be the Carnival Samba night on May 23 at the Airport Lounge.
The event, according to Kaseke, will be the real samba as the Samba Queens from Brazil will be there doing their sexually suggestive dances. Kaseke promised that the samba queens who failed to come last year had assured ZTA that they were coming as they had no other commitments in their country. If organisers go by last year’s plans, the samba queens will be backed by pole dancers.
From Brazil, people will, virtually that is, be taken to Ethiopia at the HICC where the Ethiopians will be showcasing their culture on the same day, courtesy of the Ethiopian Embassy. May 24 will be the big day as ZTA will host the carnival street party where people will be supplied with alcohol at selected points. People will be in the streets and join in the partying with music being played by various groups.
The countries who will have come for the carnival will also take to the streets and showcase their various cultures as a carnival is a melting pot of cultures.
Thereafter, dancehall fans will be treated to a Zimdancehall concert at the Aquatic complex in Chitungwiza with the country’s finest dancehall artistes expected to perform. The carnival activities will come to an end on May 25 with a carnival music concert at the HICC.
Organisers however said they were still finalising contracts with artistes who will perform at the carnival festivities and would release their names once they had completed the process.
Online Reporter