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.
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 in conversations about healing, self-expression, heritage, and unity.
The 4-day cultural celebration 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 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.
The Zimbabwean identity and liberation through storytelling, fashion, food, music, dance, and art. There festival will bring together people from all walks of life, to share in an immersive artistic space designed to spark conversation.
“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 artistic 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
EVENING – SKUG BARN
19:30
Mbira Classical Night
Traditional Dance
Storytelling (NGANO) – Shona Poetry Performance
18 APRIL
AFTERNOON – SKUG BARN
12:00
Screen Printing Session – Tote bag/t-shirt design workshop Clothing Swap – Sustainable fashion & recycling initiative
EVENING – SKUG BARN
16:00
DJ Cash – Mutare’s Biggest DJ
Djembe Monks
19 APRIL
AFTERNOON – ARTOPIA
11:00
Ethiopian Coffee and Traditional Food Ceremony Sip & Paint/ Craft Experience
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
Culinary Experience – Traditional Foods & Gotch Gotch Conscious & Reggae Vibes
You can RSVP for the festival here.
For more information, you can go on TEAC’s Instagram page.
