This is how you can help make sure HIFA happens this year

The Harare International Festival of the Arts is making a return in 2017 after falling off the calendar in 2016.

The festival comes back at a time of increasing economic difficulties and as Tafadzwa Simba, executive director of HIFA says, funders and partners cannot help to the level they used to.

He adds in a video that the 2017 edition has artists who have pledged to perform at reduced fees to make sure the event takes place this year. Some of those announced are Mali’s Habib Koite and Zimbabwe’s Netsayi & Black Pressure. There also a virtual reality setup which is pretty exciting. And we hope there are shwarmas.

You see HIFA gives you that alternative space. It is a place where you will find space for that art the mainstream tries to get us to ignore. It has brought us the type of art that moves and has us asking questions even of ourselves.

To illustrate its importance, the event employs 1000 Zimbabwean artists and gives joy to scores of thousands more. And they testify

Artist
“HIFA is giving me a slot to play, but it is also giving me the opportunity to learn. To the artists this is important. To the country itself this is important.”

Former street youth employed by HIFA
“the reference I got from HIFA made it possible for me to apply for my first job. That was 3 years ago and I now have my own small business. My journey started with living on the streets and I now feel safe and like I know where my life is going. HIFA made that possible for me.” 

Craft artist
“I was able to get to know my fellow craftsmen from our beautiful country, share my skills with them as well as being inspired by their work.” 

Audience member
“Living in Zimbabwe can sometimes feel like you’re dealing with a painful illness every day – HIFA is a powerful medicine that makes me and thousands of others feel better and able to face the days and months ahead.” 

Young orphan brought to HIFA as part of our community engagement programming
“HIFA was the best day of my life. I met other young people, I danced, I sang, I felt happier than I thought possible. I rode in an elevator for the first time and met Oliver Mtukudzi. I will never forget it.” 

Audience member
“I am glad to be a part of something I am deeply in love with. And as a young person I know the future of the Arts in Zimbabwe lies in my hands.” 

To continue making it happen HIFA has set a target if USD100,000 to put this year’s one on. Plans are already at an advanced stage and it will happen this 2-7 May 2017. But any help needed to make it more comfortable is welcome.

This year’s theme HIFA 2017 – Staging an intervention is apt.

And you can stage yours by helping make sure it happens.

And how can I help? Good question. Here is how…

1. There is a crowdfunding initiative that has been started. You can find contribute here -> https://www.thundafund.com/project/hifamusthappen
2. Share the above link at every opportunity you get
3. Buy tickets and get your friends to do so as well.
4. Join initiatives like the HIFA Amigos and things of that nature that help towards building the festival
5. Make noise about the event on social media, get everyone involved so they too can get involved.

Watch Simba on the video below and let’s make it happen this 2 to 7 May 2017.

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