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Arts Correspondent
Poets in Harare will tomorrow join forces for the first big poetry gathering of 2014 at the Book Café for spoken word programme, “House of Hunger Poetry Slam”. Themed, “New Beginnings, New Horizons,” the show will see both established and new generation poets joined by internationally-acclaimed Zimbabwean poet Chirikure Chirikure.

Chirikure, now based in Germany is one of the masterminds of the slam.

He has been visiting home regularly with new ideas, encouragement and higher standards to share.

Robson “Shoes” Lambada is another guest and participated at the start of the programme, continues to encourage and raise the bar for younger poets in the slam.

Established by arts development organisation Pamberi Trust, The House of Hunger Poetry Slam presents poets whose evocative display of words and rhyming skill has something for everyone interested in poetic expression.

In 2013 the platform welcomed 298 poets over 12 events (with some repeat performances), and a total poetry audience of over 900.

Some participating poets said the poetry platform positively impacted on their work in 2013 and they hope to get more results this year.

Arnold Chirimika aka “So Profound” – a popular poet said House of Hunger had grown from strength to strength.

He said: “The House of Hunger Poetry Slam influenced my poetry because it has taught me to be diverse and consistent. This year I want it to grow beyond just something that happens every month, but something we can take to communities and various places where poetry can be a tool for social change”.

Mazvita “Younique” Gwangwadza said: “In 2014 I would like to see a new horizon in the attitude and behaviour of poets.  I urge all poets to have new content and more female poets to participate.”