Zimpapers Logo

Oliver Mtukudzi

Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo Arts Correspondent
The annual Italian music festival dubbed “Musica” will conduct series of workshops during the art fete that kicks off in Harare tomorrow (Wednesday). The workshops are designed to develop the local music industry through exchange of artistic skills and music industry knowledge. The Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Enrico De Agostini said the workshops were meant to promote cultural exchange.

“The whole festival is centred on the interaction between Zimbabwean and international artists, both offstage and onstage. Offstage, it takes place at the numerous workshops that are organised at Music Crossroads Zimbabwe and the College of Music, where local musicians have the opportunity to work with visiting artists for free,” he said.

The workshops will be conducted by established local and international artists and participation would be open to all students and young emerging artists from 10-12pm. Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi will facilitate the opening workshop at the Music Crossroads on Wednesday. In an interview, Mtukudzi said his interaction with Musica would be a great opportunity to exchange notes with others.

“Presenting at the workshop does not mean I am going to teach only but rather I will end up learning a lot from the participants because the questions from the young musicians open up and sharpen my mind and points my thinking to new possibilities,” he said.

The academy will also host musician Dudu Manhenga in a joint workshop session with Italian star Rafaele Casaranoon on the same day while Mezzontono and Perfectrio will facilitate workshops at the same venue the following day. Other international artists that will hold workshops at the academy on Friday include Round About Italy, a group which comprises members from Italy, France and Germany and Chicco Antonio from Mozambique.

South African house music sensation MiCassa will host a workshop at the new Italian Club in Chisipite on Saturday morning and will perform at the same venue during the closing concert of the festival. Jazz Musica is organised by the Italian embassy in Zimbabwe to foster stronger relations through culture exchange.

The festival is being run in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Music Crossroads Zimbabwe, Star FM, the Italian Club and Blaque Events.