Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Ruth Butaumocho
1 May 2008
Harare — Art lovers in the Eastern Highlands resort town of Nyanga will no longer need to travel kilometres to quench their thirst for arts but will now enjoy the fiesta right at their doorstep, thanks to the Nyanga festival.
The initiative, expected to take place on May 21 is being spearheaded by the Micro-Project Holders Community Trust, which hopes to make the festival part of the 2010 World Cup tourism package.
While the festival will certainly be an opportunity for artists to make business for themselves, for Nyanga community, the event opens a scope on their role in the national and regional tourism framework.
Victor Gwekwerere, the trust's secretary said the oprganisation was trying to create a conducive environment for micro-project holders such as artists, weavers, stone sculptors, designers, woodcrafters and many other to join hands with the hospitality industry in order to reap benefits.
"The arts people, and traditional heritage play a major role in making tourist destinations what they are.
"As the 2010 showcase approaches, one of the major draw cards for resort destinations in Southern Africa, shall be cultural tourism. However, in most cases, the benefits bypass local communities, that is the reason the trust is taking a proactive approach," he said.
Running under the theme, "Culture for survival: blending traditional hospitality with diversity and environmentally healthy lifestyles for sustainable livelihoods", the festival will focus on exhibitions of Nyanga stone art, artefacts and craft, interior décor and soft furnishing, workshop for artists, a traditional food fair and musical performing arts.
Nyanga Stone Art, which is popular with international tourists and art collectors, will include the works of sculptors Timothy Magurure, Gift Saruchera and Kenneth Chikwiramakomo. Ethnic designer Memory Chibvura shall also showcase her ethnic creations, that would be used by models in the festival pageant, dubbed Miss HAPPiAFRIKA'08.
Apart from performing artists, thousands of locals from across the district are expected to attend the event, which falls during the culture week.
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