adminDubbed the “Harare International Carnival”, the event would take place from 22 May to 29 May and will be a melting pot of culture where countries are expected to showcase their various cultures through their traditional cuisines, dances, artifacts, several performances and a march.
The highlight of the event would be the musical night, where one international artiste backed by both local and regional artistes, was expected to serenade music lovers during a gig to be held at the National Sports Stadium.
Although authorities were yet to settle on the international artiste, some of the names that have been thrown into the hat include America’s contemporary musician R Kelly, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Nigeria’s D Banj, Lady Gaga and possibly a return of Akon.
Zambian Mampi, who did a collaboration with Roki, is expected to be a supporting act of the yet to be identified international artiste.
Brazilians, touted for their salsa and samba dances, would also be a highlight of the carnival.
Speaking on the sidelines of Carnival International de Victoria, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the Harare International Carnival was born out of the need to consolidate the country’s tourism brand and enhance interaction between Zimbabwe and other countries.
“We have taken a leaf from the Carnival International de Victoria and want to take the concept back home,” he said. “We need to continuously enhance our interaction with other countries for us to further push our tourism brand through different initiatives.
“We have deliberately chosen May because that is the period when business is usually low in the tourism and hospitality sector in the country and we really want to increase business during this period.”
Mr Kaseke said the carnival was not part of the festivities ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Orgnisation general assembly to be co-hosted with Zambia in Victoria Falls in August.
“We don’t want people to have the impression that all events that we are doing are pointing to the UNWTO,” he said. “This event has got nothing to do with the general assembly that is why it is being held in Harare.
“Victoria Falls will have its own carnival because what the town held recently was not a carnival, but a mini festival. In any case, the UNWTO should not be the beginning and end of everything.
“Other events that we have been holding in the industry should just go ahead as usual and we must not lose sight that we are a tourism destination and we have the mandate to continuously promote it.”
Online Reporter