Litfest Harare Brings Life to Literature

LitFest Harare, the annual international festival, is on from the 28th of November to the 1st of December 2018.

In what is its fifth edition, the 2018 is Visions Foretold. The festival programme includes critical discussions, debates, conversations and performances from participants from countries including Ireland, Scotland, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The official opening night will be held at Theatre in the Park on the 28th of November and is open to the public.

From the 29th of November to the 1st of December, morning and afternoon sessions will be held at The Nexus at B2C Batanai Gardens, with the evening performances at Theatre in the Park at Harare Gardens.

Renowned writer and academic, Professor Etienne Van Heerden from the University of Cape Town, will give Key Note Address on the 29th of November in the afternoon at The Nexus at B2C Batanai Gardens.

The key note address is tilted, ‘Writing Memory: The Writer in Rapidly Changing Times.’ Professor Kizito Muchemwa from Great Zimbabwe University, a renowned writer/critic/academic, will respond to the address.

One of the major highlights of the performances is a Poetry Extravaganza titled, ‘Love Letters to Africa,’ which will feature international and local poets including, Numero Unoma (Nigeria), Afric McGlinchey (Ireland/Zimbabwe) Africa Ukoh (Nigeria), Philani Nyoni(Zimbabwe), Madzitatiguru (Zimbabwe), Batsirai Chigama (Zimbabwe), Momo Size (Zimbabwe) and Tawona Sithole (Zimbabwe/Scotland).

The participation of Numero Unoma and Africa Ukoh is partly sponsored by RwandAir.

There will also be a Monologue Fiesta competition during the course of the festival, where actors present two minute monologues with the public in attendance voting for the top three winners.

Another interesting session will be the ‘Me and My Lyrics’ session which will feature artists including Alexio Kawara and Enzo Ishall as they dialogue on their song lyrics.

The daily evening performances will include theatre and music performances by CHIPAWO, JESA (Music Crossroads), Alexio Kawara, Vauki muChirorodziva (mbira outfit) and many more.

Festival Director, Chirikure Chirikure, stated that Litfest Harare 2018 seeks to set a new standard for literature festivals in the country.

“It is humbling to be going into our fifth year as Litfest and this year we have really focused on providing an unmatched literary festival experience. The Zimbabwean arts, culture and literature scene is vibrant and providing platforms such as this where we can engage and collaborate with international artists and academics will only enrich us. We encourage Zimbabweans from all walks to come and enjoy a four-day extravaganza of literature, arts and culture,” said Chirikure.

Morning and afternoon sessions are free to attend for the public, with evening performances having a small cover charge.