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Raising the Zimbabwe flag high . . . The Chipawo team in Germany

Swagga T in Germany
All is set for the 13th edition of the World Festival of Children’s Theatre in Lingen, Germany, with Zimbabwe representative Children’s Performing Arts Workshop (Chipawo) scheduled to perform tomorrow afternoon. Other countries represented at the festival are Belgium, Uganda, China, Japan, Colombia, Russia Uganda, Denmark Canada Germany Argentina and Bangladesh.
The two-week festival is running under the theme “Colour Your World”.

Before Chipawo leaves for Denmark the following week for an exchange programme from August 2 to 10 where they are also billed to perform. A total of 14 Chipawo members from different centres such as Mutevedzi, Pathway, Juniors and Domboshava have came together to perform their play entitled “Colours/Mavara”, which is about Zimbabwean culture. The play was choreographed by Chipawo arts educator Tinashe Chiku.

During the festival, children will attend some workshops on arts development, which is meant to promote and boost the sector.
The Chipawo participants on the tour are Israel Siziba (14), Tadiwa Moyo (13), Tadiwa Nyoni (12), Tendai Machipisa (8), Nkosilathi Dube (15), Patience Manyangadze (8), Gamuchirai Mukwakwani (17), Rufaro Chipango (6), Nicole Ruzive (15), Precious Mavhoro (14), Blessing Masiya (14), Kundai Chipagara (14), Tinoda Tirihumwe (14) and Ashely Bindu (13)

Speaking to CLS some teenagers who are on the trip expressed their joy over the tour.
“I am so excited to be going to Germany and playing the lead role. I have never been to Europe before and this is an amazing experience as I am going to lift the Zimbabwe flag high.

“I am proud to be Zimbabwean and hope our dances and songs will not only entertain them but educate other teenagers across the world,” said Precious Mavhoro.
She said she was happy to be part of Chipawo and her school has also been uplifted.

Israel Siziba said he had been reading a lot about Germany and the tour will go a long way in developing his art skills.
“Art is a culture. I am happy that we are going to Germany and we will learn different cultures and traditions. To us it is an exchange programme. I am promising fireworks with our play ‘Mavara-My strength, My Culture’,” said Israel who is playing sekuru in the play.

Chipawo is also celebrating 25 years of arts education across the country and a number of activities have been planned.
The main end of year concert is scheduled for tomorrow at Mt Pleasant Community Hall.

Chipawo, with its various partners, has embarked on a programme to reach out to different schools across the country to introduce their programmes under the theme, “Bringing Chipawo to More Children.”

They have established centres in Bulawayo, Kadoma, Mt Darwin, Hurungwe, Marondera and will soon be establishing another centre in Mutare.