The Exclusive Arts Club (TEAC), a fast-rising culture and arts collective, will be hosting an arts festival in honour of the country's 45th Independence Day this week.
Spearheaded by TEAC Art Director, Nombulelo M'cwabeni, the 45th Independence Through Art Festival is set to be an experience that celebrates Zimbabwe’s liberation through storytelling, dance, fashion, food, and visual expression — rooted in African tradition and Pan-African identity. The Exclusive Arts Club's lineup of events will seek to connect the traditional with the contemporary, bridging Zimbabwean talent and the diaspora.
The 4-day cultural event will take place from 17 - 20 April 2025 in Harare. Each day will have a unique themed experience — from traditional ngano nights and thrift fashion showcases to Ethiopian coffee rituals and Afro-conscious live music.
There will be a Vinyl Sounds session by the gifted Tinofireyi Zhou, spoken word & storytelling from the award winning author Chengeto Mayowe, music from the renowned Djembe Monks and afternoon of Ethiopian Coffee and traditional food that is not to be missed.
Reflecting on the intersection of the arts and Zimbabwe's liberation, Chengeto Mayowe stated that the two have always been tied together for her:
“Art has always been an integral part of my life and funny enough I learnt the art of storytelling from my father when he would speak on the liberation struggle and the history of Zimbabwe and Africa. He was adamant that I be proud of where I’m from and find a way to showcase that. Which is where the storytelling, spoken word and poetry comes from,” shared award winning author and spoken word artist Chengeto Mayowe.
“It’s my way of incorporating all aspects of our culture past and present as we step into the future. So I’m very excited and happy to be a part of this inaugural celebration of our culture.”
Here is the full event lineup (subject to change):
17 APRIL
AFTERNOON - SKUG BARN
13:00
Film Screenings & Historical Talks Vinyl DJ Sessions
$5 for day screenings and $10 for screenings plus mbira night!
EVENING - SKUG BARN
19:30
Mbira Classical Night
Traditional Dance
Storytelling (NGANO) - Shona Poetry Performance
$5 for kids and $10 for adults!
18 APRIL
AFTERNOON - SKUG BARN
12:00
Screen Printing Session – Tote bag/t-shirt design workshop - Clothing Swap - Sustainable fashion & recycling initiative
$15 all activities + Djembe Monks
EVENING - SKUG BARN
16:00
DJ Cash – Mutare’s Biggest DJ
Djembe Monks
$5 advance and $10 at the gate!
19 APRIL
AFTERNOON - ARTOPIA
11:00
Ethiopian Coffee and Traditional Food Ceremony Sip & Paint/ Craft Experience
$40 for all events!
EVENING - ARTOPIA
17:00
Acoustic Live Band Sunset Performance – Magetsi Aenda
20 APRIL
MIDDAY - SKUG BARN
11:00
Traditional Dance Class (Children & Adults)
Hair Braiding Circle
$5 a ticket for the above events!
Culinary Experience – Traditional Foods & Gotch Gotch Conscious & Reggae Vibes
Artopia is located at 46 Quorn Ave, Harare, and Skug Barn is located along Bannockburn Road, Mt Pleasant Heights, Harare.
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