Upcoming and renowned writers across the country will meet to tackle issues causing Zimbabwean and African mass migration at this year’s International Literature Festival Black History Month celebrations slated for this Wednesday in Harare.
The programme themed “Black migrations,” will feature readings, performances, and discussions by seasoned and upcoming writers, poets and critics, emphasizing on the movement of people of African descent to new destinations and new realities.
Addressing the media over the weekend, LitFest director, Chirikure Chirikure said despite that the event is hinged on a celebratory mode, ample time will also be invested in constructive dialogue.
“Our event will be a platform for the artists and audiences to celebrate as well as to engage. Over and above the broader scope of the theme, our event will be an opportunity to reflect on the migrations of people of Zimbabwean origin.
“Our country has seen millions of its citizens migrating to various destinations in the past few years. We need to dialogue on the impact of this, with the discourse combining analytical and artistic approaches,” said Chirikure.
The LitFest event will be hosted by writer, critic and academic, Memory Chirere.
It will feature journalist, Ish Mafundikwa, who will share his perspective on the issue of black migrations.
Mafundikwa’s presentation will be followed by readings from writers Shimmer Chinodya and Lawrence Hoba while Albert Nyathi, Xapa, Lisa the Poet and VaChikepe the Poet will recite poems.
LitFest is running this event with support from the Public Affairs Section of the USA embassy and the UNESCO desk of the University of Glasgow, Scotland. The event is part of the outreach programme of the LitFest annual international literature festival.
