Recently launched by the cultural wing of the Embassy of Spain in Zimbabwe is a basic guide book to Shona language for Spanish speakers, written and researched by Victoria Tur Gomez, the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Spain.

Entitled "Guia Basica de Shona para Espaoles", the book will be distributed free to the libraries, some schools, cultural institutions and the Spanish and Cuban communities in Zimbabwe.

It is a ground-breaking translation, dictionary and speaking guide which will promote closer dialogue and cultural exchange between the Zimbabwe and Spain.

Veteran musician Oliver Mtukudzi and playwright Stephen Chifunyise were the guests of honour at the occasion where the book was launched.

The 120-page language guide comprises an introduction by the late Ambassador to Spain in Harare, Mrs Pilar Fuertes, a brief introduction to the history of pre- and post-independent Literature of Zimbabwean literature, Shona grammar, numerical cardinals, greetings, common day-to-day expressions and a concise dictionary.

The author, Victoria Tur, was born in Tarragona, Spain, in 1980.

She completed her education at the Universidad Rovira I Virgili de Tarragona in 2003.

She attained her post-graduate studies at the Universdad de Barcelona before embarking on a diplomatic career in 2007.

Zimbabwe was her first African posting as cultural attaché in 2009.

The diplomat is also an accomplished classical violinist and literary scholar.

Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a writer, art critic, practising artist and corporate image consultant.