Staff Writer
Shoko Festival has partnered with the Netherlands Embassy in Harare to present a cutting edge spoken word programme. This year’s edition dubbed ‘Shoko Universe’ is set to present a unique Holland – Zimbabwe collaboration for its spoken word program as well as an innovative spoken word journey. The Lost – Spoken Word Journey is set for Tuesday 21st September.
In a never-seen before creative collaboration between leading Dutch spoken word artist, Smita James and top Zimbabwean poet Shaldo, the poets will collaborate on combined themes that will be performed virtually at Shoko Festival 2021.
The two will explore a world of violence against women, climate breakdown and rising authoritarianism as they speak hope and for social justice.
The Netherlands Embassy is the main sponsor of the Shoko Spoken Word Programme. The performance will lead to a presentation of Lost – A Spoken Word Journey which will feature several leading Zimbabwean poets performing about the current Zimbabwean political and economic situation – presented in an extremely creative manner.
Lost will feature poets such as Thando , Yanta Limie , Munyaradzi Bopoto , Kuda Rice , and Banshee
“We are thrilled to be sponsoring the Spoken Word Programme at Shoko Festival 2021 that will include so much Zimbabwean talent and also renowned Dutch poet Smita James. The world is facing multiple crises – a pandemic, climate change, and social inequality. These are problems that affect us all and require collective action to resolve.
“The role of art, such as the upcoming spoken word collaboration between Zimbabwe’s Shaldo and Smita James is to bring us together, and to give us fresh perspectives and jolt us into new ways of thinking and acting.
“Wherever you are in the world, tune in for what will be a powerful and innovative Zimbabwe-Netherlands collaboration.” said the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Zimbabwe her excellency Margret Verwijk.
“We’re so happy to be partnering with the Embassy of the Netherlands to present both a cutting edge spoken word programme and an event that carries such an urgent message,” says Festival Director Samm Farai Monro AKA Comrade Fatso.
“The artistic collaboration will be something very unique while the message we are putting out is such an important one given the times we live in.”
The spoken word experience is made possible by the generous support of the Dutch Embassy
About Shoko Festival
Shoko Festival is Zimbabwe’s most popular and longest running urban culture festival. Shoko is all about promoting urban culture, free expression and positive activism. Over the years the festival has provided a platform for hundreds of young Zimbabwean rappers, comedians, musicians and spoken word artists to perform, collaborate and express themselves. Shoko also curates cutting edge collaborations between local and international acts and builds international tours for young Zimbabwean artists. The festival also hosts free conferences, workshops and panels on digital media, tech & the arts.
More details on www.shokofestival.co.zw
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