Chinhoyi hosts Culture Week launch

Mashonaland West capital Chinhoyi will this year host the launch of the National Culture Week that will be held on May 16.

Last year the national launch was held in Bulawayo and there was an overwhelming response.

Other provinces held several activities though some provinces like Masvingo were marred by poor resources.

Running under the theme "Celebrating Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship" a lot is expected as people celebrate cultural diversity.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe communications and marketing officer Cathrine Mtombeni said the launch marks the beginning of the celebration of the importance of cultural diversity throughout the country through various cultural and artistic expressions.

"Some of the activities done at the official launch include street marching by artists and cultural activists, fashion show, music and dance performances, art and craft exhibition and herbal medicine exhibitions," she said.

She said as has become the norm, celebration of Culture Week signify the sharing and display of cultural diversity across Zimbabwe.

"Through the theme 'Celebrating Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship', NACZ acknowledges that Zimbabwe, endowed with a multiplicity of cultures, can enjoy the 2015 celebrations by going beyond the regular showcasingm of exhibitions at performances," she said.

"The idea is to ensure that the sector does not remain a vehicle for others to build their wealth, but that members of the sector, through their varied artistic skills, are able to improve livelihoods across the board."

Mtombeni said 2015 Culture Week is also a response to demands in the country's Economic blueprint, Zim Asset that aims to promote value addition and beneficiation as well as eradicate poverty through promoting entrepreneurship in the arts and culture.

The national official Culture Week launch is a national event coordinated by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe head office and implemented by the hosting province.