Several poets have a chance to showcase their talent when they take part at the inaugural Great Zimbabwe Arts Festival to be held in Masvingo next month.
By Sandra Maricho in Gweru
The poetry show’s theme is The importance of Zimbabwe monuments.
For years, poets from Midlands province have not showcased their works at big festivals and the Great Zimbabwe Arts Festival provides such a platform.
The three-day fête will see several poets from across the country showcasing their prowess.
Founder of the festival Gina Eugene Majuru said the competition for poets seeks to create empowerment and employment for the artistes.
“The idea is to get as many Zimbabweans as possible at this festival, so that there is a bit of something for everyone. For example, the event itself is an arts, craft, and music and food festival. By bringing the poetry competition, it’s also meant to bring into the limelight some of Zimbabwe’s talented artistes,” she said.
Majuru said she came up with the the idea of the festival in 2017 and was given the green light by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority in March this year.
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“As we all know, there are shortages of jobs in Zimbabwe but if a poet can come up with a good poem and is able to recite it, they can earn a living,” she said.
Gweru-based veteran anthologist Dumisani Ndlovu (pictured above), who is one of the coordinators of the programme, said Majuru’s vision of promoting Zimbabwean arts with a different approach was fantastic.
“I am far more impressed by a person’s character which doesn’t destroy, but promote others,” Ndlovu said.
“I am impressed by her unique artistic approach of inclusivity. Unlike other local festivals that largely sideline poets, the Great Zimbabwe Arts Festival is an inclusive event,” he said.
