ITALIAN Ambassador to Zimbabwe Enrico De Agostini has said diplomats should promote unity and embrace cultural exchange programmes cementing the relationships among nations.
BY ARTS REPORTER
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of eighth edition of the Italian Jazz Festival — now rebranded to Musica Festival — recently, De Agostini said the festival sought to promote cultural diversity.
“Musica Festival is part of the diplomatic mission’s vibrant culture exchange programme which is designed to facilitate stronger relations between Italy and Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Our nation is committed to engaging in programmes that facilitate cultural exchange and that’s why we host the Musica Festival.”
He said the fiesta was also aimed at promoting creative expression through facilitation of artistic interaction and collaborations.
De Agostini said besides music, the festival also provided local artistes with an opportunity to collaborate with visiting Italian artistes, and had given birth to a number of business opportunities.
The festival also incorporated fashion in partnership with Priscilla Chigariro’s Zimbabwe Fashion Week.
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At the fashion extravaganza, four local designers exchanged notes with two Italian designers attending the festival.
The annual Musica Festival is organised by the Embassy of Italy through partnerships with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, the Zimbabwe-German Society, Pamberi Trust and ZiFM Stereo.
The festival, held at various venues in Harare, featured 54 international musicians including Marco Maggiore, Pietro Tonolo and Antonio Jasevoli Band as well as over 100 local artistes including Oliver Mtukudzi, Filbert Marova, Josh Meck, Afrika Revenge, Hope Masike, Dudu Manhenga and Patience Musa.
