Showbiz Reporter
Preparations for this year’s Culture Week commemorations are well underway.
The annual celebration of uniqueness of diverse cultures will run from May 21 to May 27 in the country’s 10 provinces. It will be held under the theme: “Culture Week: Towards Increased Community Participation”.
The Culture Week programme is expected to be punctuated by a variety of activities which will be a reflection of the country’s different cultures. Some of the activities include traditional food and herbal exhibitions, dances from different ethnic groups, folk story telling sessions, praise poetry and fashion shows of ethnic wear among other cultural and artistic expressions.
The main celebrations will be held in Filabusi at Godlwayo Culture Centre on May 21.
“The national launch will be coordinated by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) in partnership with the hosting province through the local organising committees under the leadership of Chief Maduna,” NACZ spokesperson, Caroline Mthombeni said.
“The launch marks the beginning of the celebrations throughout the 10 provinces. Culture forms an integral part of the people’s existence hence the importance of celebrating culture.
“The participation of communities in Culture Week will result in harmony and ownership of the programme by communities who are involved in the transmission processes as well as the enactment of culture forms.”
The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity by UNESCO in 2001 proclaimed May 21 of each year the World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
In commemorating this day, countries are encouraged to celebrate the uniqueness of diverse cultures found in them as part of world culture. In addition, this day is intended to provide an opportunity for the flaunting of various cultural heritages that need to be preserved for posterity.
“Cognisant of the phenomenal growth in popularity the World Day has enjoyed hitherto, NACZ decided to make this occasion a week-long event hence the existence of the Culture Week every year,” she said.