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Swagga T
CHILDREN Performing Arts Workshop children will today join the rest of the world in celebrating World Theatre Day for Children and Young People at the Zimbabwe College of Music. This day is internationally commemorated on March 20 in more than 80 countries which are members of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People. The celebrations are running under last year’s theme, “Take a Child to a Theatre – Our Story”.

Various centres from Chipawo will present theatre performances based on the milestones of the organisation from 1989 to 2015 as they continue to celebrate 25 years of arts education for development of children and young people.

Chipawo will also screen one-minute films which were recorded by children supported by UNICEF Zimbabwe as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the convention on the rights of children. Newly elected Chipawo council chairman Takudzwa Magomo (11) said he was happy with how centres were preparing for the show and were presenting what they have.

“I am excited as we set to witness different theatre acts from various centres. We have been rehearsing for the past months. We are going to tell our own story and understanding of arts.”

Takudzwa is a Grade Five pupil at Tynwald Primary School. Cathrine Mtandwa from the Girl Power side said they are celebrating the other side of art which can sustain livelihoods if taken seriously.

“At Chipawo, where a young child is learning about art, there are points where ideas about the child, art, and teaching meet, sometimes connecting, sometimes colliding and sometimes competing. We have beliefs that have shaped our ways of seeing the child art, and teaching. Media can enhance our understanding of children and the art media and how we can scaffold young children’s learning within these media. Parents should not shun their children away from art as if taken seriously it can sustain livelihoods,” she said.

However, for Chipawo this day is very important as children will have the opportunity to air their ambitions, ideas, hopes and aspirations as theatre is a strong vehicle for communicating.

On February 28 this year, Chipawo celebrated the international Mother Language Day, a day set aside by UNESCO to celebrate various native languages around the world.