By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Harare – Zimbabwe is increasingly leveraging arts and culture as instruments of diplomacy, with two major international engagements in 2026 set to elevate the country’s global cultural footprint.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe Board, Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe framed upcoming events — the hosting of the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM) conference and participation in the Venice Biennale — as strategic pillars of Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
In 2026, Zimbabwe will host the 58th CIMAM Annual Conference, marking the first time the influential global museum network convenes in Africa.
The same year, Zimbabwe will participate in the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, widely regarded as the world’s premier contemporary art showcase.
The Minister said these platforms align with Zimbabwe’s foreign policy principle of being a “friend to all, enemy to none,” positioning art as a form of soft power capable of strengthening diplomatic ties and reshaping international perceptions.
Cultural diplomacy has increasingly become a global trend, with nations using art exhibitions, heritage showcases, and creative exchanges to build bridges beyond politics.
By hosting CIMAM and showcasing local artists at Venice under the pavilion theme Second Nature Manyonga, Zimbabwe aims to assert its cultural identity within global discourse.
Observers say such platforms allow Zimbabwean narratives to be told through artistic expression rather than political rhetoric, broadening avenues for cooperation in education, tourism, trade, and innovation.
With thousands of international curators, collectors, critics and cultural policymakers expected to engage with Zimbabwean art in 2026, the country is positioning culture not merely as heritage preservation, but as a diplomatic asset.
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