National Arts Council Expresses Shock at Book Cafe Closure

National Arts Council Expresses Shock at Book Cafe Closure

The National Arts Council (NACZ) today announced shock at the closure of the Book Cafe. 

In a statement released by their public relations office, they expressed the level of importance they placed on the Book Cafe's activities.

 Here's the full statement below:

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is shocked by the closure of Book Café. Book Café was one of the Harare venues whose objective was to promote and develop arts and culture in Zimbabwe. Most current Zimbabwean artists have in one way or the other benefited from Book Café’s activities which included live musical shows, poetry, standup comedy, literary readings, crafts, discussions and film screenings. 

The closure of this most vibrant venue is a serious blow to the arts and culture sector in Zimbabwe and the nation at large. While we many take solace in Mr Tomas Brickhill’s statement that, it is not going to be the end of the story as they will “re-strategise and restructure the business” in order to open the new chapter of this strong brand, NACZ thinks there is scope to engage the Book Café Management so as to find how the sector can help in saving this piece of Zimbabwean art heritage. The action of the Council will be guided by the information and vision of the Book Café proprietors and owners.

It is important nevertheless to remind the arts public that NACZ has always been engaging the Harare City Council and indeed the local authorities in Zimbabwe to avail venues and community halls to arts entrepreneurs and organizations for rehearsal and performances. Zimbabwe needs multiple venues like Book Café that offer opportunities for the artists if we are to achieve our objectives as set out in the national blueprint Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset). It is the responsibility of local authorities and government to provide venue space to residents. The Council remains hopeful that our request for the establishment of National Arts Centre in Zimbabwe (preferably in Harare) will receive its due attention. Book Café was actually playing the role of a national arts centre in Harare.

NACZ is currently lobbying the government and local authorities to invest in arts and cultural infrastructure including venues as well. Availability of venues for arts and cultural activities will ease one of the major challenges Zimbabwean artists face, which is,  limited decent platforms through which they can express their assorted talents.