Zimpapers Logo

Trust Khosa  

A CELEBRATION of Shona Literature will come under the spotlight on August 24 when the inaugural Language Legacy Expo opens in Harare.

Hosted by Consultus Publishing Services (CPS), in partnership with LitFest Harare, the 10-month exposition will be running at CPS Head Office in Eastlea, Harare. 

The expo runs from midday to 3 pm every Saturday where entry is free.

In an interview, event coordinator, Kudzanai Thondhlana, said they were ready for the expo set to empower learners. 

“The theme for 24th August will be ‘Integration of literature and visual arts’ where we will explore how literature and visual arts intersect, the synergies between them, and how they help elevate each other. 

“We will look at examples of collaborations between written words and visual arts while bringing together practitioners from both sectors,” he said.

Thondhlana said the Language Legacy Expo was meant to celebrate arts and cultural heritage. 

 “The Language Legacy Expo was launched on July 27th, 2024, and aims to shine the spotlight on literature and languages, encourage reading culture, and literacy, as well as celebrate cultural heritage. 

“The ongoing 10-week expo honours culture and heritage through literary and visual arts. 

“The upcoming edition focuses on Shona literature and will feature a book discussion between Giles Kuimba, the author of Tambaoga Mwanangu (published by CPS), an O’ level ChiShona literature set book from 2024 – 2027, and renowned scholar and lecturer, Dr Reggemore Marongedze from the University of Zimbabwe. 

“The expo will also feature a discussion on the role of literature in local languages including Shona in the 21st century. Other activities include a book market, book swapping, kids’ corner, controlled reading workshops for teachers and parents and live spoken word performances,” he said. 

Speaking on behalf of the organising partners, LitFest Harare director, Chirikure Chirikure, highlighted the impact of the expo thus far. 

“Since its launch, the expo has been well received by various stakeholders including writers, parents, children, educational institutions, cultural organisations, and the creative sector. 

“As we celebrate languages, literature, arts, and cultural heritage over the coming weeks, this initiative that shines the spotlight on our languages and culture, in line with aims of the Heritage-based curriculum, is proving much needed and much-appreciated information.”

He added: 

“We look forward to more stakeholders and audiences coming onboard as we uplift our languages, arts, and cultural heritage.” 

CPS is one of the leading publishers and distributors of educational textbooks and digital e-learning solutions for Early Childhood Development through to high school. 

LitFest Harare is an arts and culture organisation focusing on the promotion and development of the literary arts in Africa. 

Chirikure’s organization has been championing the reading culture among young learners 

He rendered his services at the 12th Let Them Trust Schools Arts Festival held at Churchill High in Harare last month.