Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA)
"Election Day", photos courtesy of Christopher Mlalazi
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| Country and Region | Zimbabwe — Harare |
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| Type of Festival | Dance, Drama, Music |
| Location of Festival | Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Festival Address Information | Harare International Festival of the Arts |
| Festival Description | HIFA, Harare International Festival of the Arts is an annual international arts festival that encompasses five main disciplines: music, theatre, fine arts, dance and spoken word. HIFA began in 1999 and since then has taken the Zimbabwean and Southern African arts scene by storm. The Festival showcases the best of Zimbabwean performances and fine arts while at the same time staging and exhibiting the most exciting and creative international and regional performances. Each year, HIFA announces a theme that drives the artistic policy of the Festival. The theme of HIFA 2008 is “The Art of Determination” was chosen for the "tremendous dedication on the part of the HIFA Board of Trustees and Management Team to make the leap of faith it requires to commit to a Festival, especially as times become more and more difficult. However HIFA Management and the overall team that ensures this amazing event actually comes to fruition are nothing if not determined." |
| Festival Dates | April 27 - May 2, 2010 |
| Festival Links | http://www.hifa.co.zw/ |
Festival Story:
HIFA is an annual international arts festival that encompasses five main disciplines: music, theatre, fine arts, dance and spoken word. It is set in the beautiful capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare. HIFA began in 1999 and since that has taken the Zimbabwean and Southern African arts scene by storm. The Festival showcases the best of Zimbabwean performances and fine arts while at the same time staging and exhibiting the most exciting and creative international and regional performances.
Festival Events:
Featured performance 2010:
- ELECTION DAY, by Christopher Mlalazi
Christopher Mlalazi took part in the 2009 Harare International Festival of The Arts (HIFA) workshops on writing and directing for theatre, where he developed one of his plays titled ELECTION DAY, which will be premiered in April 2010 at HIFA, under the HIFA-DIRECT project. The play will be directed by Eunice Tava, a seasoned actress and director. In addition, Tava will cast the play. The play ELECTION DAY is an adaption of one of Mlalazi’s short stories which was first published in the 2004 Edinburgh Review, and then was later published in his short story collection DANCING WITH LFE; TALES FROM THE TOWNSHIP, which won the 2009 NAMA AWARD for BEST FIRST PUBLISHED CREATIVE WORK, and was also given the Honourable Mention in the 2009 NOMA AWARD FOR BOOK PUBLISHING IN AFRICA. You are invited to come to HIFA 2010 to see it for yourself. Mlalazi is also looking for the opportunity to show the play around the world after HIFA. Contact Christopher Mlalazi at
- Studio 9
National Gallery In Bulawayo
75 Main Street
Bulawayo
Zimbabwe
Mobile: + 263912713004
Phone: +2630963949
Email: chrismlalazi@gmail.com
- Studio 9
Other Sources:
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Podcast Interviews:
- If you like this festival — listen to Manuel Bagorro
http://kadmusarts.com/blog/?p=819
Press Releases:
- Zimbabwe festival diary, by Manuel Bagorro (BBC News, April 24, 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7339509.stm
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