THE stage is set for the 11th edition of the LitFest Harare International Literature Festival to celebrate the power of storytelling and its profound impact on people’s lives and communities.
The festival runs from November 27 to 30 under the theme, Stories: The Measure of Life.
"This festival is an opportunity to explore how narratives shape our understanding of the world and connect us to one another,” Chirikure Chirikure, the festival director, said in a statement.
By design the LitFest Harare International Literature Festival aims to celebrate various forms of creative expression and storytelling, foster love for literature and encourage dialogue on pressing social issues through storytelling.
The festival will feature a diverse lineup of renowned authors, poets and thought leaders from Zimbabwe, Africa and around the globe.
The main venues for the festival will be Nhaka Gallery and Alliance Francaise in Harare’s central business district, with Harare City Library hosting the schools’ workshop.
"Regional and international participants in this edition include returning poets, Nomonde Sky (SA) and Sidos (Bots) who are back by popular demand, as well as poets Dr. Lame Pusetso (Bots), Thabang Shai (SA), academic and creative Tawona Sithole (University of Glasgow), as well as various creatives and academics from Sierra Leone, Sweden, Zambia, UK, the US, Kenya and Uganda, the organisers said.
Kudzanai Thondhlana, communications officer LitFest Harare, said the main attractions of the festival are discussion sessions which would be held at Alliance Francaise where creatives, academics, critics and the public at large will share their insights into the art of storytelling and its significance in shaping our identities.
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"The festival activities begin with a three-day pre-festivaI workshop for 12 authors of children’s literature, run by Alison Ziki from Room to Read, South Africa. There will also be an interactive workshop for young creatives to hone their craft across various topics as well as a skills development workshop for schools at Harare City Library. The annual LitFest Harare poetry slam returns with 20 poets battling it out for the top 3 lucky poets for fantastic prizes,” Thondhlana said.
Each festival evening will feature a vibrant mix of music, spoken word, comedy and theatre that showcases Zimbabwean culture and its literary heritage, as well as celebrating the stories and cultures of guests from around the world, the spokesperson said.
Some of the artists performing during the festival include Sarungano, Ulethu, Victor Kunonga, Bantu Spaceship, Daves Guzha, Bradley Sibiya, Hope Masike, Bhutisi, Mgcini Nyoni, Mambo Guramatunhu, Hombarume The Giant and Thee Ammartian, among others.
