The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) began in 1999 and has received an enthusiastic response from Zimbabwean audiences, participating artists as well as local/regional and international media. The event celebrates the finest Zimbabwean and international music, theatre, spoken word, dance and visual and applied arts. HIFA 2009 featured over 120 international artists from 24 countries, and attracted unprecedented public attention in Zimbabwe; over 50 000 tickets were sold.

HIFA 2010 will run from 27th April to 2nd May and will again feature diverse international programming with participating artists from more than 20 countries, in addition to the huge Zimbabwean arts showcase (www.hifa.co.zw). The theme for this year's Festival is About Face.
ABOUT FACE
The theme for this year's Festival is an invitation to all Zimbabweans to turn things around- to look with hope and optimism for transformation and new beginnings, both artistic and societal. It is a call to artists to consider new vantage points, ideas and inspiration at a time when moving forward is about facing the past and about facing the future. The theme is also a celebration of the resolute face of Zimbabweans, past and present, who continue to stare down seemingly overwhelming challenges with grace, determination and creativity.

HIFA is calling for artists who would like to participate in this year’s edition to please contact artists@hifa.co.zw before 31 January 2010.