2025 Bira Rembira Festival to Launch Provincial Outreach Programmes

Organisers of the 2025 Bira Rembira Festival, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, Diana “Mangwenya” Samkange, and Benjamin “Nyamasvisva” Nyandoro, have announced plans to launch provincial outreach programmes next month. These initiatives aim to connect with diverse artistes across Zimbabwe and prepare for the highly anticipated September event at Glamis Stadium, Harare.

A Cultural Celebration Rooted in Heritage

Inaugurated in 2024 at Gwanzura Stadium, Harare, the Bira Rembira Festival is now an official annual event celebrating Zimbabwe’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Its establishment coincided with the recognition of the mbira instrument on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

The festival has garnered widespread acclaim for promoting cultural pride and the mbira instrument, which holds immense significance in Zimbabwean and African heritage.

Expanding Horizons Through Outreach

According to Chimbodza, the provincial outreach will include workshops, talent scouting, and collaborations with schools and local communities. These programmes, approved by the Ministry of Sports, Art, and Recreation, will allow organisers to identify young talent and foster grassroots involvement.

“We are starting early to ensure maximum participation,” Chimbodza said. “Last year’s success has inspired us to widen our scope and include more provinces and participants.”

Cross-Border Collaboration

In a groundbreaking move, Zimbabwe has partnered with Malawi to celebrate the thumb piano, a shared cultural artifact. Organisers aim to invite Malawian mbira groups to enhance the festival’s regional significance and promote cultural exchange.

“By involving mbira outfits from Malawi, we celebrate our shared heritage and elevate the festival’s prestige,” Chimbodza added.

Empowering the Next Generation

Samkange emphasized the importance of involving youth in the festival. “Our goal is to educate and inspire young people to take pride in the mbira and its cultural importance,” she said. She highlighted plans to include mbira players from schools across Zimbabwe, ensuring the next generation embraces this rich heritage.

Samkange also appealed to the corporate sector for sponsorships to expand the festival’s reach. “Government support has been invaluable, but we need additional partners to make this year’s event even more impactful,” she noted.

Breaking Stereotypes

Nyandoro, a seasoned arts consultant, stressed the need to demystify negative perceptions of the mbira. “It’s unfortunate that some still associate the mbira with negative stereotypes. We aim to change this narrative by showcasing its beauty and significance in our culture,” he said.

Building on Success

The organisers are confident that this year’s festival will surpass expectations. Last year’s event featured over 30 groups and drew a large audience, despite limited planning time. The 2025 edition promises to be more inclusive, with organisers committed to covering all provinces and engaging marginalized communities.

Nyandoro concluded, “The mbira defines our identity as Africans. Through the Bira Rembira Festival, we are not just celebrating music but preserving and promoting our cultural legacy for generations to come.”

The countdown to September has begun, and with the outreach programmes launching soon, Zimbabwe’s cultural heartbeat is set to resonate louder than ever.