IN celebration of World Theatre Day for Children and Young People, a vibrant week-long series of events has been lined up to charm the hearts and imaginations of Zimbabwe’s youth.
A series of theatrical performances, workshops, and interactive activities aimed at fostering a love for the arts among children will take place from March 20 to 27 at various venues in Harare.
Chipo Basopo Chindungwe, Executive Director of the Precious Children’s Arts Organisation (PICA) and Chairperson of ASSITEJ Zimbabwe stated that this year’s event theme is “Take a Child to the Theatre.” This theme highlights their dedication to making theatre accessible to all children, enriching their educational journey, and igniting their creative spark.
“We aim to have people understand that theatre is good, and so is going to the theatres to enjoy and learn, especially considering children are now doing VPA at school,” Chindungwe said.
“Apart from Harare, the celebrations will also be happening in Gwanda, Bulawayo, Hwange and Mutare, creating a platform for every child to participate in the celebrations through various forms of performing arts,” she added.
The initiative is made possible by ASSITEJ Zimbabwe, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe-Harare Province, PICA, Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre, Pastime Trust, Zimbabwe Theatre Academy, Literature Festival (LITFEST), Spoken Word and Writers Association (SWWA) and Heritage Village.
Chindungwe highlighted that preparations are going well as they have a team with Assitej Zimbabwe members in each province.
“There is always a challenge, but mainly it is getting funding for the events; hence, organisations and artists use the resources we have, be it venue, to make sure the event happens,” she explained.
“We believe in the transformative potential of theatre to unite communities, bridge cultural divides, and celebrate the universal stories that connect us all,” said Chindungwe.
The upcoming event will feature some exciting highlights, which include the official opening ceremony at Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre on March 20. The ceremony will feature a ” Dhiya ” production tailored for the young audience.
The event will also have a Children’s Performance Day on March 23, providing a platform for the young talents to showcase their skills.
Furthermore, LITFEST will introduce a special program on March 21 – the school’s poetry slam competition, which will take place in various series throughout the year and culminate in the grand finale in November of this year.
Children, friends, and family will also be invited to a storytelling day, where they will hear and share different stories.
