By Showbiz Reporter-After years of uncertainty and scaled-down editions, the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) is poised for a vibrant return, with this year’s showcase set to light up the capital from April 29 to May 4.
Founded in 1999, HIFA has long been regarded as one of Africa’s premier cultural festivals, earning comparisons to global events such as Glastonbury Festival. At its peak, the festival transformed Harare into a dynamic hub of theatre, music, dance, poetry, and visual arts, attracting both local and international performers while providing a rare platform for Zimbabwean creatives to engage global audiences.
The festival’s trajectory, however, has mirrored Zimbabwe’s broader socio-economic challenges. Periods of economic instability, funding constraints, and later the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced HIFA into hiatus and limited programming. Despite these setbacks, its legacy endured as a symbol of artistic resilience and cultural expression.
This year marks a significant revival, with founding artistic director Manuel Bagorro returning to steer the festival. Bagorro, who stepped back in 2012, resumes leadership following the withdrawal of his successor, Gavin Peter, who stepped aside for personal reasons.
Organisers say the 2026 edition will run under the theme “Switch On”—a concept rooted in renewal, creative awakening, and the enduring determination of Zimbabwe’s artistic community. The theme also draws inspiration from Doris Lessing’s short story The Sun Between Their Feet, which tells of two dung beetles persistently pushing their burden uphill—an allegory for resilience against adversity.
As Harare prepares to host the festival once again, HIFA’s return signals more than just entertainment. It represents a reassertion of Zimbabwe’s cultural voice, offering artists and audiences alike a renewed space for dialogue, creativity, and connection in a society still navigating complex challenges.
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