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HARARE International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) versus the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF)?
To be honest there is no rivalry to talk about because for a few years now these two events have learnt to co-exist.
When the two started harmonious co-existence, it meant creatives from both Bulawayo and Harare could work at both events. Fast forward to 2017, I know for a fact Bulawayo creatives are screaming to the high heavens and praying for years gone by to come back.
In the late 90a��s to the early 2000a��s and maybe up to late 2000a��s, performers were guaranteed of at least one job at the ZITF. In fact one could throw a stone and hit a performer at the ZITF because it was a must-calendar event.
However, this year therea��s absolutely nothing to talk about as far as the arts are concerned. Only a handful could benefit and ita��s mostly DJs and night clubs and maybe Cal_Vin who features in the Trade Fair shut down alongside South African artiste K.O and dancehall king Winky D.
But who is to blame for this downward shift? Could it be the fault of the creatives who are maybe producing works that do not appeal to corporates?
Maybe ita��s the fault of our beloved Government not doing much to inject money to this industry. Ita��s the dig or maybe ita��s the National Arts Council who really should be protecting us and advocating for creatives?
What if ita��s the problem of the corporates who should be hiring us because they have no excuse, I mean they have huge branding and publicity budgets. I truly appreciate that ita��s the digital age, but why not use us the creatives on their adverts? How do we grow?
Enough about ZITF, leta��s move over to HIFA. It goes without saying that ita��s the biggest arts gathering in the country, maybe region and a notable festival worldwide. The festival runs from 2 to 7 May. HIFA has been accused of a lot of things over the years, many which have nothing to do with the creative side.
We have seen acts take turns to perform at HIFA all the way from the Bulawayo and that gave the festival a national feel. We felt a part of it. This year the festival is back from a 2016 break, and guess what?
The closest to Bulawayo or regional representation is Gifford High School who are participating courtesy of Yocaf, a youth festival in Masvingo. Besides that, there is nothing else. Could HIFA not even choose one music group, a comedian and a theatre group from Bulawayo?
But then again ita��s common knowledge that the economy is bad. Maybe HIFA with all their corporate sponsors did not get the funds they needed to be able to transport people from Bulawayo. One may argue and say, but how come they managed to bring people from other countries?
Well, the value is not the same. To Old Mutual, Steward Bank, ZB Financial Holdings, NMB Bank, CABS Bank and BancABC who all have days named after them, thank you for supporting the arts. Funny thing though we approach these guys all the time about supporting art from this region. Maybe we are selling the kind of art they do not buy.
Until next week, be safea��
@nkuenkala .
Online Reporter