After a week long display of local and international artistic displays ranging from music, theatre, spoken word as well as crafts at HIFA held in the Harare Gardens last week, the arty trend continues in a few days’ time as the Culture Week roars to life at the same venue.
Running from May 19-25, the Culture Week will be launched at the Harare Gardens on May 19.
The week-long programme in fulfillment of the 2005 Convention seeks to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.
The week will be punctuated with varied activities that express cultural heritage of humanity, augment and transmit through the different cultural expressions by using diverse modes of creation.
“The national official Culture Week launch is a national event coordinated by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and implemented by the hosting province,” read a statement from the NACZ.
“Some of the activities at the official launch will include art and craft fair, traditional dances, contemporary performances, praise poetry, music and herbal medicine exhibitions.”
This year’s theme is ‘Culture: A Tool for Building Communities’, signifying identity and a true sense of belonging.
The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity by UNESCO in 2001 proclaimed 21 May of each year the World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Cultural diversity is a defining characteristic of humanity that when cultivated and respected can create a well-developed nation. It nurtures diverse human capacities and values and in the process promotes national growth that fosters unity and identity.
In commemorating this day, countries are encouraged to celebrate the uniqueness of diverse cultures found in them as part of world culture. In addition, this day is intended to provide an opportunity for the flaunting of various cultural heritages that need to be preserved for posterity.
Cognisant of the phenomenal growth in popularity this World Day has enjoyed hitherto, NACZ decided to make this occasion a weeklong event hence the existence of the Culture Week every year.
