Story by Lisa Masuku
THE fourth edition of the Bulawayo Arts Festival (BAF), which will run from the 2nd to the 5th of June will be punctuated by several festivities and activities to showcase the city’s unique history and cultural heritage.
The country’s second-largest city will also celebrate Bulawayo Day on the 1st of June as it turns 130 years, setting the tone for the fourth edition of the Bulawayo Arts Festival which seeks to ensure the young and old are part of the festivities which will be headlined by a street carnival and koNtuthu Legends concert.
“The preparations for 2024 the Bulawayo Arts Festival are at a very exciting stage. On the 1st of June, on Bulawayo Day, we will have a carnival atmosphere. We have an array of activities. We will have a carnival procession and a celebration of the koNtuthu legends show,” said the Bulawayo City Council corporate communications manager, Ms Nesisa Mpofu.
The official launch of the festival on the 2nd of June will be led by one of the city’s leading musical groups, Black Mfolosi.
To honour female artists, the festival will close with the Imbokodo Concert, an all-female music show seeking to celebrate female artists.
“As a city, we have also made sure that we include young people. We will also have a spelling bee and a series that we call Inxwala, and to wind down we also have an Imbokodo concert, an all-female artists show,” noted Ms Mpofu.
As part of showcasing Bulawayo’s rich cultural heritage, several related workshops and exhibitions will be held alongside the Inxwala series.
