Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael

Bira Rembira Festival outreach programmes underway

Organisers of the 2025 Bira Rembira Festival will launch provincial outreach programmes next month to connect with various artistes. This musical extravaganza, conceived by Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, Diana “Mangwenya” Samkange, and Benjamin “Nyamasvisva” Nyandoro, was inaugurated last year at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, Harare. Due to its success, the Bira Rembira Festival is now recognised as an official annual event celebrating the Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity in Zimbabwe (ICH). Last year’s edition was held after the mbira instrument was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2020. To ensure that the celebrations receive the attention they deserve, mbira players from all age groups are now playing a critical role in commemorating this milestone.