Arts Council ‘Shocked’ By Book Cafe Closure; Will Work To Save It

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has released a statement following the closure of iconic Harare venue The Book Cafe.

Flashback to October 2012 when Book Cafe hosted Chiwoniso with Tumi & The Volume

It reads:

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is shocked by the closure of Book Café. Book Café was one of the Harare venues whose objective was to promote and develop arts and culture in Zimbabwe. Most current Zimbabwean artists have in one way or the other benefited from Book Café’s activities which included live musical shows, poetry, standup comedy, literary readings, crafts, discussions and film screenings.
The closure of this most vibrant venue is a serious blow to the arts and culture sector in Zimbabwe and the nation at large. While we many take solace in Mr Tomas Brickhill’s statement that, it is not going to be the end of the story as they will “re-strategise and restructure the business” in order to open the new chapter of this strong brand, NACZ thinks there is scope to engage the Book Café Management so as to find how the sector can help in saving this Zimbabwean heritage. The action of the Council will be guided by the information and vision of the Book Café proprietors and owners.
It is important nevertheless to remind the arts public that NACZ has always been engaging the Harare City Council and indeed the local authorities in Zimbabwe to avail venues and community halls to the arts entrepreneur and organizations for rehearsal and performances. Zimbabwe needs many venues like Book Café that offers opportunities for the artists if we are to achieve our objectives as set out in ZimAsset. The issue of venues is a local authorities and government responsibility. Council remains hopeful that our request for establishment of National Arts Centre in Zimbabwe preferably in Harare will receive its due attention. Book Café was actually playing the role of a national arts centre in Harare.

NACZ is urging the government and local authorities to invest in arts and cultural infrastructure including venues as well. Availability of venues for arts and cultural activities will ease one of the challenges artists is facing of limited decent platforms where they can express their assorted talents.