Melting pot of arts at Chimanimani Arts Fest

Kenneth Matimaire

MUTARE — It is that time of the year again when the exotic mountainous province explodes into a melting pot of arts during the three day extravaganza of the 13th edition of the Chimanimani Arts Festival (CAFT).Arts enthusiasts will experience a momentous occasion as they witness top local and foreign acts from theater, poetry,  dance to music as the curtain rolls up tomorrow.
As has become the tradition of the arts extravaganza, a galaxy of the country’s top musicians, namely rising contemporary afro-jazz star Jah Prayzah, Sean Timba hitmaker, Sulumani Chimbetu, self-proclaimed sungura maestro, Alick Macheso, and superstar Oliver Mtukudzi.
Dancehall prodigy Sniper Storm, gospel sensation Blessing Shumba, comedian-cum-musician Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima, Dino Mudondo, afro-jazz stars Selma Mtukudzi and Alexio Kawara are also part of the line-up.
CAFT assistant director, Chipo Musasiwa confirmed the line-up.
“We have already signed contracts of appearance with the listed performers,” she said.
Musasiwa through a letter availed to The Financial Gazette further revealed that the colourful event will also be ignited by international artists from the neighbouring Mozambique and the popular Cultural Spears.
The event will also be characterised by exhilarating arts exhibitions as well as performances from cultural and theatre groups.
CAFT, which was established in 1998, has grown to become a constant figure on the country’s arts calendar.
It focuses on nurturing and developing emerging arts and conducting free entry annual festivals.
The festival takes seriously its role of promoting all forms of art, tourism, employment creation and highlighting social challenges such as HIV and Aids, gender and youth empowerment.
The organisation strives to unite people from different corners of the district, the nation and the world at large to experience “the unity of purpose that prevails at the annual festival events in the scenic environment of Chimanimani District.”