Zambian arts council launches PreZFest

The five-day event will take place in December. However, its exact dates are yet to be confirmed. The festival will run under the theme, Stimulating the Creative Economy Under the New Normal and seeks to boost the country’s creative and cultural industries. PreZFest is also in line with the Zambian government’s Seventh National Development Plan. 

The festival will be held in Lusaka and the Copperbelt at the following venues: National Heroes Stadium, Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Lusaka Showgrounds, the Italian Cultural Centre, the Lusaka Playhouse and the Henry Tayali Gallery. Activities on the programme include choral music, contemporary music, dance, film, fashion, crafts, creative writing, theatre, comedy and digital arts.

"It is with great pleasure that the Presidential Choral and Arts Organising Committee adds their voice to the successful launch of PreZFest,” PreZFest national coordinator Njoya Tembo said. “The artists are encouraged to reposition themselves and start preparing for the forthcoming PreZFest so they showcase their performances before the President [Edgar Lungu] and other diverse audiences."

Tembo said the festival would host about 10 000 artists and 70 000 attendees. He said the committee was mobilising artists across the country to attend the festival.

"The highlight of artists and acts include 40 choirs and praise teams, 45 musicians and bands, 60 crafts and food exhibitors, nine theatre groups, 30 dance troupes, 30 creative writers, 30 visual artists, 30 fashion designers, 10 comedians, six film production houses and nine community theatre groups. More than 2 000 income opportunities will be created for local businesses,” he said.

“Undoubtedly, this effort will bring forth huge benefits to our artists and performers. It will also help us to reach out to new audiences, make new contacts and form new partnerships. It will enrich and strengthen Zambia’s knowledge and creative industries, which is greatly needed in our country.”

Commenting on the risk involved with hosting a countrywide festival during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tembo said: "While we recognise the threats on the arts industry due to COVID-19, Zambia needs to show resilience in order to keep the creative industry afloat despite the challenges that come with the pandemic. Online platforms will not only be used for entertainment, but also as a means to generate income. We are hopeful that the arts will attract the corporate world and activate public-private partnerships and private-sector investment to spur social and economic development.”

He added: "We salute the spirit of hard work exhibited by the artists so far in spite of the prevailing difficult circumstances. Our fervent hope and strong beliefs are that this festival will help us work harder, as we will have unforgettable experiences with both our local and international audiences."