Paul gathered around him a group of people who shared his passion and dedication, and today the dream is alive at the Book Cafe in central Harare, with an exciting and diverse programme comprising music and poetry performances, debates and discussions, film screenings, book and CD launches, and workshops and development platforms for young men and women in the Youth, Gender and Poetry programmes of sister organisation Pamberi Trust. (In 2013 alone nearly 600 activities were staged at the Book Café through the year).
All this in the face of many setbacks and through harsh economic times. Some memories will never die. At one point in 2008 the restaurant could only offer diners a baked potato – but never ran out of beer!
From 1 January 2012, after 14 amazing years at their Fife Avenue premises, Book Cafe ceased operating in that iconic space that had become an artists’ home, and moved closer to the city centre – a massive exercise which Brickhill described as “like a large family moving home, multiplied about 25 times”.
The year began amidst ruins, with the daunting task of securing alternative space, re-locating all operations, refurbishing and re-equipping. The new venue required a much larger stage, lighting, bar area, new pizza oven and main kitchen in its first phase, and later improvements included kitchens, bookshop, function rooms, project office and back garden.
New doors
With hard work and determination, and the support of artists in Harare and friends in the diaspora, the Book Café opened its new doors at 139 Samora Machel Avenue with a bang, and a vivid 2-day programme on 15 and 16 March which set the pace and paved the way for more.
In the same month The Book Café became a laureate of the prestigious 2011 Prince Claus Awards for ‘…its exemplary support of culture and development in Zimbabwe, for the diversity, quality and wide reaching impact of its activities, for stimulating creativity and fostering aspiring young talent, and for its tenacity and commitment in upholding freedom of expression in a difficult context.’
In 2013, Book Café received the National Arts Merit Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Arts Service’ 2012 by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
Wonderful and miraculous events took place, on stage and behind the scenes. Hundreds of artists took to the stage during the year – poetry, films, new musical and artistic ideas, epic collaborations, tours, arrival of a wonderful crop of young comedians, fashion, literary, political and social discussions, bookshop events and new books, CD and artist launches, some dance events.
Mbira
A powerful wave of female arts and artists emerged yet again and with unflinching calls for an end to gender-based violence in the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women. Poetry and Mbira programmes flourished, and the outpouring of new artists, acts, film-makers and their new ideas was sometimes overpowering in sheer scope.
Book Café was instrumental in bringing mbira to local audiences in the city. Friendships were made and renewed, from as far afield as Jamaica, USA, Italy, South Africa, Mozambique, Senegal and Japan and major Zimbabwean artists took the stage throughout the year.
The numbers are stunning. The 2013 ‘snapshot’ of Book Café includes 589 events and activities including 41 Gender, 90 Youth, 16 Poetry and 27 Literary events; 49 Film screenings, 41 Public Discussions, 29 Workshops, 9 Cultural Diversity activities with visiting artists, and 4 regional music collaborations.
The highlights along the way have been too numerous to mention, but all came about through the love, passion and integrity of the artists involved, who were always willing to contribute their talents and time and heart to promote fellowship and solidarity.
Early birds
On any given day in the sunny Zimbabwean capital, The Book Café is buzzing with life and activity. Doors open at 9am for early birds, first usually being Selmor Mtukudzi and Tendai Manatsa who unpack laptops under their favourite mango tree, taking care of business early in the day when the leafy garden is cool and quiet. They’re often joined by filmmaker Munya Blogo of TV Yangu who is self-sufficient with his advanced cell phone, and immersed in the internet indoors.
Internationally acclaimed poet Chirikure Chirikure claims a secluded corner and settles in with his laptop for the day, served by faithful staff who have also watched and celebrate his progress and acclaim.
A few weeks ago Albert Nyathi was busily arranging the 20th Anniversary ‘Senzeni Na’ event with musicians in tow from Bulawayo and Binga who had just arrived in the capital. Simba ‘the Comic King’ had the huge, jolly young guitarist Sylent ‘Nqonqo’ in stitches of laughter, his big dimpled smile belying how deadly serious he is taking his music which is likely to take him far in the world.
Hiphop artist Tehn Diamond reappeared after a long absence, and is now making plans to launch his latest CD. Raisedon Baya was in town to finalise arrangements for Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo later in the month, including the ‘Amawala!’ collaboration which was rehearsing inside the main venue, soon to feature at that festival.
Protest poet
Protest poet Innocent Fungurani is another regular, working, playing and performing at Book Café for several years, along with Colin Magobeya and other filmmakers who have taken up the Wednesday Film Club as a platform for their work and created a vibrant network for film.
Fashion designer Alice Knuth (brand name ‘Countess K’), who staged the first ‘Mad Hatters Fashion Party’ last year, occupied a table with friends, and gender activists Judith Chiyangwa (Girls Legacy) and Nyasha Sengayi (One Billion Rising) were involved in deep discussion.
Around the corner in the guards back verandah, on top of a woodpile, squatted two seriously gifted and seasoned musician/teachers – Filbert Marova and Adrian Muparutsa – on acoustic guitars. For some reason, Filbert, who is a highly respected jazz pianist, is playing lead and Adrian backing with devious chords and deadly precision. They have chosen this particular space for their impromptu jam to be uninterrupted.
All this in a single day at the Book Café.
The Book Café’s lively programme is made possible thanks to all performing artists, the wider artistic community, audiences and ‘friends of Book Café’, without whose support the dream would never have grown into reality.
Post published in: Arts