Poetess tips Rwandan artistes on collaborations

Popular Zimbabwean poetess, Linda Gabriel has advised Rwandan artists of different genres to collaborate with each other, in order to create a synthesis of unique art to improve the status of art and performance in the country.Speaking during a one-day workshop titled, “Spoken Word Meets Fine Arts, Dance and Song”, organised by Goethe Institut, on Wednesday, the 28-year-old Norton born poetess also told participants to always be ready to market themselves and work with other experienced artists if they want to make a breakthrough in music, drama, poetry, film and other genres of art. The workshop explored numerous ways of bringing different art forms together and discovering what can emerge out of this fusion. Its major objective was to unite different artists in the same space, share work and find ways on how different genres can all be put on one platform. “We should think outside the box and look for opportunities to showcase our talents. As it’s normally said, Moses should go to the mountain if mountain will not come to Moses,” Gabriel explained.She said that there are many multinational companies out there that are ready to sponsor art, so long as one approaches them with viable plan. She also advised budding artists to network and establish drama groups that will travel every nook and cranny of the country to perform and market themselves. “You have a lot of opportunities here in the country. You can perform in schools, anniversaries, corporate events and social gatherings.”“It’s upon you to market yourself as one body of art enthusiasts and you will come to realise that it pays to use your talents in a big way,” added Gabriel.She said that she has a deep passion for poetry that struck her when she was still very young, but took it to another level only 10 years ago when she started writing down and performing her works, adding that most of her work deals with social issues that have not only affected her in particular but the society in general. “Artists are the legislators of the world. You can use your talents to correct social, political and economic injustice. You have a very important role to play in your society and you should, therefore not run away from this responsibility.”Gabriel is also scheduled to perform her poetry at Papyrus, INEMA, today from 1p.m, alongside other artists before heading to Goethe Institut for the evening show.She was in the country in November last year as part of Goethe Institut’s Literary Summit where she shared her artistic skills and performed in a presentation dubbed “The humanity in all of us always triumphs.”Besides being a spoken word artist, Linda’s current focus is the development of arts in Africa. She works with Goethe Institut, African Synergy Trust and Alliance Française, where she coordinates artistic events and facilitates collaborations between artists and cultural exchange programs. She also runs poetry slam projects in different communities.

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Poetess tips Rwandan artistes on collaborations