Zimbabwe’s premier literary event, the LitFest Harare International Literature Festival, is set to make its highly anticipated return from November 27-30, 2024. Held in the heart of Harare, LitFest is more than a festival; it is a vibrant celebration of literature, spoken word, and culture.
This year’s theme, “Stories: The Measure of Life,” underscores the transformative power of storytelling. Far beyond mere entertainment, storytelling is recognized as a vital aspect of human existence, connecting individuals and communities while shaping collective identities.
The festival will unfold across three prominent venues: Nhaka Gallery, Alliance Française, and Harare City Library. These spaces will serve as hubs of creativity, welcoming storytellers and audiences from across the globe to share in the magic of words.
Over four dynamic days, LitFest Harare promises a diverse program of activities, from thought-provoking discussions to energetic poetry slams, immersive workshops, and vibrant cultural performances. The lineup includes returning favorites like South African poet Nomonde Sky and Botswana’s celebrated artist Sidos, as well as new voices such as Dr. Lame Pusetso (Botswana), Thabang Shai (South Africa), and Tawona Sithole from the University of Glasgow. Joining them will be a host of literary and artistic talents from Sierra Leone, Sweden, Zambia, the UK, the USA, Kenya, and Uganda.
The festival’s discussion sessions, held at the Alliance Française, will bring together creatives, academics, and critics to explore storytelling’s profound role in shaping individual and collective identities. Meanwhile, workshops will kick off with a three-day program for children’s authors, led by Alison Ziki from Room to Read, South Africa. Additional interactive sessions will empower young creatives to refine their craft, with schools also benefiting from skills development workshops at the Harare City Library.
The much-anticipated LitFest poetry slam returns, featuring 20 poets competing for the coveted top three positions and exciting prizes. Each evening, audiences will be treated to a vibrant showcase of music, spoken word, comedy, and theatre. Zimbabwean artists such as Sarungano, Victor Kunonga, and Hope Masike will perform alongside international acts, highlighting the rich diversity of global storytelling traditions.
LitFest Harare 2024 is a collaborative platform that amplifies Zimbabwe’s deep-rooted storytelling traditions while embracing a global perspective. By bringing together voices from diverse cultures, the festival reinforces storytelling as a universal art form and a means of fostering understanding and connection.
Prepare for an unforgettable experience as Harare becomes the epicenter of creativity and expression, showcasing the enduring power of stories in shaping humanity. LitFest Harare 2024 is not just an event—it’s a movement, a celebration, and a reminder that stories truly are the measure of life.
