Zimbabwe-Iran Artists Unite for Book Launch and Exhibition
Tafadzwa Zimoyo Entertainment Editor A unique collaboration between female writers, poets, and visual artists from Iran and Zimbabwe was on display at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) on Friday
The joint event, themed “Unity”, was a combination of a book launch and an art exhibition that highlighted shared cultural expressions between the two nations.
The exhibition featured innovative visual artwork exploring the concept of oneness.
One striking piece was a painting that merged the Iranian and Zimbabwean flags, symbolising the unity between the countries. Attendees were captivated by the creative portrayal of the fusion of cultures.
The work of artist Joseph Nyakwenga, whose pieces incorporated jeans, newspapers, and acrylic paint stood out during the exhibition.
“I used discarded jeans, which are often seen as litter, and brought them to life on the canvas. Through this, I aim to depict social cohesion,” he said.
The book titled Sisters Across Borders was the centerpiece of the literary collaboration.
Eighteen local Zimbabwean writers partnered with their Iranian counterparts on this project, which was spearheaded by the Iran Cultural Centre and the Women Writers Support Network Africa (WWSNA).
“The book initiative started in April, funded by the Iran Cultural Centre, and focused on creating stories, poetry, and illustrations centered on cultural exchange and empathy with women in Palestine. Women, especially in times of war, bear much of the hardship, and we wanted to bring that to light through this collaboration,” said WWSNA founder Sympathy Sibanda Ngwenya.
Renowned gospel musician Pax Gomo, accompanied by his daughter Elshadai Tadiwanashe, spiced up the occasion by performing a moving song about the struggles of Palestinian women. His daughter chipped in with a poignant poetry recital.
“We have seen that 70 percent of the war casualties in Palestine are women and children,” Elshadai shared, stressing the emotional weight behind their performance.
Iranian Embassy cultural counselor Hamid Bakhitiyar emphasised the significance of this cross-cultural exchange.
“This collaboration, which includes a writing competition focusing on the strength and stories of African and Iranian women, highlights the realities faced by women in Palestine,” he said.
“The joint efforts by Zimbabwe and Iran to preserve and enrich their cultural heritage have underscored the value of cultural exchanges in socio-economic development.”
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