Back to Index

The art of determination
HIFA
April 07, 2008

Largest ever HIFA, greatest range of shows in the music, drama, art and spoken word disciplines 120 international artists and the highest quality of performance yet. Anticipated ticket sales - double last year. That is how Manuel Bagorro, founder and artistic director, described the Harare International Festival of the Arts, which will take place in and around Harare Gardens from April 29 to May 4.

Each year the theme tries to encapsulate what Zimbabweans feel deep in their hearts. This year The Art of Determination celebrates those of us who have stood the course, are still here and above all are continuing to perform. "We want to acknowledge Zimbabwean resilience, that spirit of just keep on keeping on."

This is particularly true of the artists who are struggling to make ends meet in a society with a miniscule amount of disposable income. Many have moved across the borders and the seas so HIFA intends to showcase those whose determination to stay in Zimbabwe will contribute enormously to the success of this year's festival.

That this, the ninth festival, is taking place at all underlines the fact that arts, culture and creativity are important at all times and should be central to all we do. That is the view of Angeline Kamba, the "phenomenally accomplished and energetic chairperson."

She is a great believer in the power of culture and its ability to transform society. "I am particularly proud to be associated with this team," she said. "Their enthusiasm rubs off on me and Zimbabwe also believes that HIFA will make it, particularly the corporate world. These are not easy times yet they are right beside us, supporting what we do."

Manuel Bagorro says he is surprised by the diversity of the artists and acts at this year's festival and "thrilled by the incredible quality. In recognition of our theme, we have put a lot of thought into collaboration. This has always been a central thread at HIFA - this year it is particularly strong.

"HIFA Direct, a collaboration with the British Council, grew out of last year's High Five plays. We have taken three writers and three directors who have been mentored by some of the most professional of their peers in the UK. This is in collaboration with the Young Vic and International Workshop Festival and it forms the core of our theatre programme this year. I see it as a template which other arts organisations will adopt when working on similar projects."

Another collaboration is Living Mbira, placing mbira music in other cultures. The players from the Mbira Centre will be performing with unexpected groups like the German jazz group, Tiny Tribe, a group of dynamic Indonesian dancers and a Japanese kyoto player.

"This is an example of artists taking incredibly risks. It could be awful, with people from totally different cultural backgrounds performing together - we hope it will be magical," Bagorro said.

"There is lots of circus acts: gymnastics - we have discovered a new local gymnastic group who I think are amazing - jugglers, who will be working with groups in the high density suburbs as well as performing at the festival, and trapeze artists. One particularly beautiful German high wire performer will hang in a tree at 40 Cork Road for an outdoor performance of Midsummer Night's Dream which owes little to the Bard and everything to one man's determination to reach the object of his desire."

Tetrad Reps, the first time HIFA has mounted a performance at the theatre in Belgravia, will host Truth in Translation, the musical tour de force that looks at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa through the eyes of the translators and how describing the horrors of the apartheid era in the first person fundamentally changed their lives forever.

This will be supported by a workshop, inviting people from many countries where there is conflict to come and discuss what it meant to them. "This is incredibly significant - but also fun and we are indebted to HIVOS and the EU for helping to bring the biggest ever theatrical production to HIFA," Bagorro said.

Much of the festival's success arises from the good ideas of local artists and the HIFA co-ordinators. Art On Purpose is an example of this. "People want to be involved with the event so we issued an invitation to everyone - artists, the public, our sponsors, you name it - to produce a work of art on a postcard. The results vary from incredibly fine small water color paintings to an installation made out of an artist's own hair - which we treasure along with the rest of the works."

These will be for sale during HIFA - but you won't know whose work you are buying until you have paid and can turn it over and see for yourself. Money raised this way will go to various artistic training programmes like Theory X, Gallery Delta, the National Ballet, Tumbuka and the School of Music.

And more. Much more. Maria Wilson, executive director, commented on how unique this festival is. "It's a place where competing giants of industry come together to make it work. They see a Zimbabwean initiative associated with excellence and want to be there. Embassies fly their flags proudly over what we do.

"What makes us unique, I believe, is that we attract the biggest, broadest audiences for any cultural event in the country - and increasingly in SADC, as our neighbours are starting to sit up and take notice. In a world scenario, with our inflation rate and the creative muzzles put on our artists, to produce a festival at all is remarkable: to produce one of the top 10 festivals in the world is amazing.

"One reason why people are so creative is because Zimbabwean audiences are so responsive. Another is because we take care of all the technical aspects - the venue, marketing, box office, staging - so the artists are free to perform.

"HIFA 2008 is a communal pat on the back. Not just for the artists but for all of us who are still here, doing amazing things. It will be a celebration of a nation's resolve."

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP