The European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) Harmonies of Expression one-day festival, which was held recently at the Harare Gardens, had mesmerising and transcending music performances from The Bantu Space Ship, DJ Kolorz (German), who closed the festival, Cherrie (Sweden) and Nasibo (Zimbabwe).
The event was also hyped by several all-day activities, which included and were not limited to captivating collaboration creative works such as recycled and upcycled works and fashion from Spanish, Italian and Zimbabwean artists specialising in culinary arts, dance, music, fashion and fine art.
The Harmonies of Expression is a collaborative event that strived to showcase artistic collaboration between Zimbabwean and European artists, focusing on the intersection of art, heart, and science, particularly in relation to climate change.
Exquisitely dressed Swedish singer Cherrie, real name Sherihan Hersi, and Zimbabwean singer Nasibo made a perfect blend as they perfomed with an amazing blend.
Cherrie sang classical RnB songs like Obsidion, Der jag borde vara, Tempo, Stocleholm inatt, Aldrig igen and Mami backed up by her band which had Malte Bergman Bystrom (Keys/Bass), Emmanuel Hailemorian (Guitar) and John Biurstrom (drums).
Cherrie and mbira player Nasibo went on to further serenade the audience with their collaboration on Nasibo’s songs Tineiwo, Chirimudenga and Eres mi amon, a new song which is yet to be released by Cherrie.
The harmonies of Expression are a project by EUNIC Zimbabwe and the National Arts council of Zimbabwe, Oxfam Zimbabwe, National Association of Community Broadcasters and earGround.
EUNIC is Europe’s network of national cultural institutes and organisations, with 39 members from all EU member States and associate countries.
- Harare businessman bankrolls Mhondoro schools tourney
- ‘Thank you for supporting Chedenga Foundation’
- Mother’s Union unites Anglicans
- Harare businessman bankrolls Mhondoro schools tourney
Keep Reading
Trusted live and studio music producer Vusa Moyo and Roy Zuka and his crew was at his best as they provided a good livestreamed sound and lighting services.
A discussion forum which had Shari Eppel (Ukuthula Trust), Desire Nemashakwe (CBZ climate change officer), Benjamin Mandevere (principal climate changer officer) and Archford Chemhere brought to light that rural and urban people can come out of starvation and hunger when they other things which do not depend on rain.
After a long discussion themed Navigating Climate Change through Arts and Culture. Can They Take Lead? creative works such as culinary arts, dance, music, fashion and fine art were identified as perfect responses to climate change.
The discussion was followed by a fashion parade by a modelling showcase of works done by Evans Tinashe Mutenga (painter, Zimbabwe) and Natalia Carrascu (designer, Spain) who were showcasing a cultural renaissance inspired by Pablo Picasso and a Zimbabwean legendary painter Thomas Mukarurwa.
The Bantu Space Ship closed the one-day festival with a transcending performance that spiritually uplifted the audiences from mere spectators to participators through dance and sing along.
Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lingarde said the EUNIC Zimbabwe cluster was formed by European Embassies and institutions with a primary objective to pool resources and ideas together in support of a thriving cultural sector in Zimbabwe.
He rated the arts sector as a vital tool for uniting people together than anything else and provides chances for conversations for laying groundwork for cooperation and mutual understanding.
In addition to this the Harmonies of Expression seeks to connect art, heart and science.
The project now encompasses 10 artists from seven European countries and 27 Zimbabwean artists and has the backing of the embassies of Sweden, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Portugal, Cyprus, the Alliance Française, the Zimbabwean German Society and the British Council, who all had representation on the chilly evening.
The embassies vowed to work together with Zimbabwean artists to fight climate change in Zimbabwe.
“Culture and art unites people perhaps more than anything and creating opportunities for more cultural bonds to develop thus lays important ground work for cooperation and mutual understanding,” Lingarde said.
“It was with this overarching ambition that the project Harmonies of Expression came to life, uniting Zimbabwean and European artists in collaborative projects across a range of different disciplines, including dance, music, food, photography, fashion and more.”
Carus Vaquer, Unicef WASH chief officer, said he found the event very interesting because it brought knowledge on climate change to the grassroots.
Anesu Mhembere, a stylist, appreciated the EUNIC Harmonies of Expression project as a replicable distinct fusion of arts from several European and Zimbabwean cultures including lifting sustainable fashion.
Leornard Unogara, from Oxfarm, said the discussion on Navigating Climate Change through Arts and Culture. Can They Take Lead? brought to them an insight on policy advocacy and their implementations of drought relief initiatives in line with climate changes.
