PREPARATIONS for this year’s edition of Intwasa Arts Festival are at an advanced stage despite the deepening economic crisis that has left people with little disposable incomes, festival spokesperson, Nkululeko Nkala has said.
BY SHARON SIBINDI
Nkala promised a good event despite financial problems, which marred preparations.
“The road to the festival was difficult without sufficient funding, as some of the sponsors have pulled out. But we managed to scrap through,” he said.
The festival will incorporate the Bulawayo Street Carnival on the jamboree’s opening day, in partnership with Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), and will run concurrently with Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo from September 27 to October 1 under the theme Immortalise.
The five-day fiesta, which will be held at different venues, encompasses music, drama, dance, visual arts and workshops. Nkala said the event was meant to celebrate local arts, as well as promote local culture and tourism.
“The idea of the international flavour has been mooted as we want to create our own massive carnival showcasing our local culture, art, tourism and the beauty of Bulawayo,” he said.
The 13th edition of Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo promises to be bigger this year, following the involvement of ZTA after a bleak one last year due to financial constraints.
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Nkala said the event would have international visitors, though they are working on clearing them.
He said some of the activities lined up include spoken word act Women, Wine and Words, Plan High School Drama Competition and Ihloka by Umkhathi.
Sponsors of the festival include British Council, Ingwebu, Plan, ZTA and the American Embassy.