Hifa week in numbers;192 Performances, 1041 Local Artists, 287 Regional and International Artists and 43 Nationalities represented
Hifa provides a shuttle service to move audiences across different venues.
After collaborating remotely on the hit song, Zvekupenga, Chashe Musarurwa-McTaggart and Tinashe Makura got together for the first time to perform at Hifa 2015.
Lays Global stage is one of the 'cozy and jazzy' stages at HIFA. It's for those who enjoy the intimate experience of music between the performer and the audiences.
The stages/venues are named after key sponsors
After collaborating remotely on the hit song, Zvekupenga, Chashe Musarurwa-McTaggart and Tinashe Makura got together for the first time to perform at Hifa 2015.
Hifa draws huge crowds from all walks of life. Its a beatiful experience.
Victor Kunonga is one of the most consistent but highly underrated Zimbabwean musician. His music is a fusion of distinct guitar lines woven around a percussive drum beat reminiscent of Zimbabwean traditional dances (Katekwe, Mhande, Mbende and Mbakumba). The lyrics are a poetic commentary, advice and celebration of life. His unassuming stage presence adds to the clarity of his music which makes it worth listening and dancing to in any kind of context.
Victor Kunonga is one of the most consistent but highly underrated Zimbabwean musician. His music is a fusion of distinct guitar lines woven around a percussive drum beat reminiscent of Zimbabwean traditional dances (Katekwe, Mhande, Mbende and Mbakumba). The lyrics are a poetic commentary, advice and celebration of life. His unassuming stage presence adds to the clarity of his music which makes it worth listening and dancing to in any kind of context.
Victor Kunonga is one of the most consistent but highly underrated Zimbabwean musician. His music is a fusion of distinct guitar lines woven around a percussive drum beat reminiscent of Zimbabwean traditional dances (Katekwe, Mhande, Mbende and Mbakumba). The lyrics are a poetic commentary, advice and celebration of life. His unassuming stage presence adds to the clarity of his music which makes it worth listening and dancing to in any kind of context.
Ramin and his son Abed Khalatbari from Iran shared their Persian music at the festival. They performed in collaboration with Victor Kunonga.
Hifa has always encouraged talent development and inclusion of schools into its programming.
Main stage shows can attract up to 10s of thousands.
This year Hifa added a comic relief to its programme. Michael Kudakashe is one of the leading comedians in Zimbabwe. He is part of the cast of the well acclaimed television style satirical show, Zambezi News.
He is a cultural activist, comedian, musician and founder of Shoko Festival, a consistently growing urban culture festival. He performed at the inaugural comedy at Hifa.
He is a rising comedy star know as Doctor.
This guy in a bodysuit made out of glass, was one of the most talked about and photographed individuals at Hifa 2015.
She is an enterprising and hardworking artist. Her sense of humour, stage presence and an accompanying guitar will make you sit and listen to her ballads. Tariro's soulful yet danceable music will take her places. She is one to watch, that's if she hasn't been on your radar already.
Hifa is popular for believing and promoting young talent.
Hifa boss of a vibrant theatre program. This is one of several plays that were part of this year's acts. Water Games is an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Enemy of the People.
Kudzai Sevenzo is a multi talented artist who is known for her music, and onscreen acting having starred in Playing Warriors, a film by Rumbi Katedza.
Michael Kudakwashe is an all round performer who has done film, television and the stage with similar ease.
This 65 year old afro-pop singer-songwriter takes you through a journey only spirits and souls can travel. His uniquely catchy yet timelessly deep music is accompanied by a golden voice straight from the chords of the gods. Salif Keita is a definition of music, a blessing to Africa and the world. This is his second performance at Hifa having performed at the 2010 edition. He featured Hope Masike, the Zimbabwean mbira princess.
This 65 year old afro-pop singer-songwriter takes you through a journey only spirits and souls can travel. His uniquely catchy yet timelessly deep music is accompanied by a golden voice straight from the chords of the gods. Salif Keita is a definition of music, a blessing to Africa and the world. This is his second performance at Hifa having performed at the 2010 edition. He featured Hope Masike, the Zimbabwean mbira princess.
Salif's show was the main and closing act. Now we wait for 2016
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) week brings beauty and cohesion of diverse groups of people from all over the world. It's rich in culture, love, dance and occasional stolen phones but most importantly it brings a lot of smiles on many people's faces. This year's festival had; 192 Performances, 1041 Local Artists, 287 Regional and International Artists and 43 Nationalities represented. Lucky Aaroni was there and he captured the moments presented in this photo essay.
In a country where meaningful entertainment is often scarce and freedom of expression systematically thwarted, these festivals have become alternative platforms for self expression. The performing arts events are just a few examples of growing community of voices confronting Zimbabwe’s socio-political establishment. They have attracted thousands of audiences from all walks of life nurturing various forms of subcultures through their platforms. Where political rhetoric and elections have failed to redress the country’s problems and the media has been systematically incapacitated, the arts might be the last frontline in the battle for free expression.
Read MoreSalif Keita is performing at the 2015 edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) and we cannot hide the excitement. Check out this gallery of him performing at the festival in 2010.
Read MoreGrandma bursts into her favourite song and us the grandchildren respond with so much energy and zeal trying to impress her and compete for affection. She smiles and directs us with her walking stick when we get out of tune, patting our heads in the process; it's a loving pat we all giggle when she pats you with the walking stick.
Read MoreWho is ready to experience the beauty of Zimbabwe?
