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CHIPAWO commemorates the centenary of the death of Henrik Ibsen
CHIPAWO
May 24, 2006

The hundredth anniversary of Henrik Ibsen's death falls on 23rd May this year and to commemorate this event Chipawo has lined up activities, namely joining the world in the commemoration of the centenary of the death of the famous Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen at the National Art Gallery tonight, conducting lunchtime lectures on his work from 30 May to 1 June at Theatre in the Park and a national tour in next month which will see New Horizon Theatre company showcasing an adaptation of his works in schools and for the public

To commemorate this anniversary, the young professional theatre company, New Horizon, is staging an adaptation of Ibsen's dramatic poem, Peer Gynt, entitled "A Journey to Yourself", which was premiered at HIFA this year. This follows their very successful commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen, with their production of "The Little Man of Murewa", which was based on one of Andersen's short stories. "The Little Man of Murewa" premiered at HIFA last year and performed in Denmark

Among tonight's event will be the ambassadors of Norway and Sweden Per Stavnum and Sten Rylander respectively, the Guest of Honour Deputy Director of Policy Planning, Research and Development in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, Mr. Mishawka and other dignitaries from the National Arts Council and Scandinavian community.

The lunchtime lectures will feature topics such as Ibsen's work and the influence of his ideas, an introduction to the life and times of one of the world's greatest playwrights and Chifunyise's experiences in adapting Henrik Ibsen to the Zimbabwean context. Between 18th and 28th June New Horizon Theatre will tour its play, "A Journey to Yourself", for 8 performances for schools and 5 public performances in towns and cities in Zimbabwe, namely Marondera, Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru and Kadoma.

Directed by Stephen Chifunyise and Robert McLaren, the play is an adaptation of 'Peer Gynt', the dramatic poem by Ibsen. Peter Gwindi (Peer Gynt) is a young layabout and a dreamer in the Nyanga area of the Eastern Highlands. The play shows his adventures as his weakness for dreams and stories gets him into some taxing situations. After 30 years in the Diaspora, he returns to face the consequences of his life- and answer the burning question: 'Has he been himself?' By any count, the Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, must be among the ten greatest playwrights the world has ever known. Plays like A Doll's House, Ghosts, Enemy of the People, The Master Builder, Hedda Gabler and The Wild Duck made an immense impact when they were first performed and since then they have featured on the stages of theatres and in the syllabi of universities all over the world.

Henrik Ibsen is a world-famous author yet most Zimbabweans know little about him. In particular his ideas relating to individual freedom and the right of human beings, including women, to fulfil their potential and above all be true to themselves, are particularly relevant in Zimbabwe and many parts of the world today. It is important that Zimbabweans see themselves as a part of the world and participate in world culture and literature. It was for this reason that Chipawo saw the need to ensure that the 200th anniversary of the Danish writer's, Hans Christian Andersen's, birthday would be commemorated in Zimbabwe and Africa as it was being done in other parts of the world. In the same way CHIPAWO would like to see Zimbabwe join Norway and the rest of the world commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ibsen's death.

In 2004 a number of Chipawo graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds, most of whom were at that time studying towards the Diploma in Performing Arts or the Diploma in Media Arts, formed the Theatre Group, New Horizon. Young people setting out on a venture to sustain themselves through the performing arts need considerable support and encouragement so that they can establish a reputation and make their careers viable. As a response to this Chipawo has extended its operations by introducing a Youth Programme, in which Chipawo graduates are trained, work and perform professionally either in the theatre group or in Cool Steel (the steel band) or in the CHIPAWO Performing Company.

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