Have you ever attended HIFA? If you have, you know that this incredible festival showcases the best of local, regional and international arts and culture bringing huge, diverse audiences together sharing the very best of Zimbabwean spirit. Its future is in jeopardy: HIFA didn’t happen in 2016, it MUST happen in 2017 – and can – with your help!
SAVE HIFA
Since its inception in 1999, the Festival has received recognition for its support of arts and culture in Zimbabwe and is seen as a major contributor to development. It is now the largest cultural event in Zimbabwe and among the eight major festivals in Africa, but it is in danger.
Our Challenge
The difficult socio-economic challenges faced by Zimbabwe today has had a severe impact on ability of funders, who traditionally support the festival, to continue to do so.
HIFA is a positive form of nation building, bringing Zimbabweans together to celebrate what it is to be Zimbabwean – we just use arts and culture as the vehicle to do this.
Our Strength
HIFA brings people together to celebrate their country, their artists and themselves. Keeping consistently high programming standards, the Festival is a beacon of all that is creative, progressive and positive in an otherwise rather gloomy and cheerless landscape. For 6 days, there is a feeling of community unity and spirit upliftment in the capital city of Harare – A taste of possibility
The team that works on HIFA are dedicated and committed Zimbabweans who want to see something positive happen in their beloved country. HIFA shows how Zimbabwe COULD be and the necessity for ensuring its survival has never been more essential.
An Invitaton
You are invited on our mission to make HIFA happen in 2017. Be part of creative nation-building at its most progressive and imaginative.
Be part of sustaining the programme that showcases the very best of local, regional and international arts and culture in the forms of theatre, dance, music, circus, street performance, fashion, spoken word and visual arts.
Be part of the creativity unleashed by HIFA that enables the people of Zimbabwe to show the world their resilience and strength in the face of adversity. A world class festival, featuring our world class talent in our uniquely Zimbabwean way.
Be part of #HIFAmustHappen by pledging your support.
Our Goal
We’re on a mission raise US$100 000, This will allow us to put on the best HIFA 2017 that we are able within the confines of the current Zimbabwean economic crisis.
The money raised will go towards paying artists – who are dropping their performance fees to support the Festival. The money will also go to ensure the ‘I’ of HIFA continues. International artists to performing at HIFA both adds depth to the Festival’s artistic programming, and brings a vital networking and exposure opportunity to Zimbabwean artists – a chance for local artists to find a reach beyond the festival.
HIFA in the words of it’s participants:
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.”