LitFest on the cards
By Letwin Mubonesi
This year’s edition of the International Literature Festival (LitFest) scheduled for November 24 to 27 is on the cards with a number of creatives across the globe taking place.
The international literature carnival is a space where writers, academics and readers discuss and critique literature.
The festival will be running under the theme ‘Healing’, and will be virtual on social media platforms and physical on the closing day for a concert that will be held in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany at Theatre in the Park in Harare.
South Africa-based English Professor Robert Muponde, mbira queen Tendai Mavengeni, and Belgium’s poet Jessie James La Fleur are set to grace the festival that will also feature participants from Germany, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia, Cameroon, Ghana as well as Scotland.
Muponde, who is an associate professor of English at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in South Africa, will give a keynote address on the opening night.
Festival Director, Chirikure Chirikure said that the world was on the healing path from various ailments such as colonial injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic hence this year’s event seeks to contribute to the discourse of healing.
“This year’s theme will showcase literature, art, discussions and performances that highlight and celebrate the power of words in healing ourselves, bridging communities and building peace.
“The world is trying to heal. More conversations on dealing with the painful past have been opening up. Some want restitution for colonial plunder and injustice. The wrongs of historic economic and physical genocides that inflicted personal and communal wounds are being called into light,” he said.
Chirikure said there will be a number of panel discussions, book reviews as well as performances from different artists.
He said, “The global pandemic we are grappling with has also brought into sharp focus the need for stronger institutions and common platforms for collaboration on building peace and stability in our world.
“LitFest Harare 2021 seeks to contribute to this pivotal discourse by putting healing, peace building and conflict transformation at the centre of this year’s edition.”
LitFest Harare 2021 is supported by UNESCO, the University of Glasgow and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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