Shoko Festival celebrates 15 years with global collaborations

In a major announcement, festival organisers have revealed an ambitious international collaboration with UK-based arts collective Arcadia, known for transforming remnants of conflict into powerful cultural symbols. Also joining the partnership is In Place of War, a global organisation that supports artists and creative communities in areas affected by conflict and crisis.

The result is the Build The Peace project, a creative exchange between young artists from Zimbabwe and the UK, aimed at promoting hope and community unity through art. A mural co-designed by participating artists will debut at Glastonbury Festival in June 2025, before travelling to Shoko’s signature Peace in the Hood event in Chitungwiza.

“This collaborative project is timely in a world where headlines are increasingly dominated by conflict and hostility. It’s a clarion call for peace, using art and culture as vehicles for transformation,” Shoko Festival coordinator Vera Chisvo said.

A platform for urban expression

Launched in 2011, Shoko Festival has grown into a cultural institution, known for championing creative voices across music, comedy, spoken word, and digital culture. It has provided a launchpad for emerging talent and a platform for established artists to connect with Zimbabwe’s dynamic urban audience.

The festival has consistently amplified voices from the margins and is credited with pushing boundaries in the local creative sector, offering space for free expression and social commentary through art.

This year’s programme continues that tradition, with performances confirmed across multiple venues in Harare and Chitungwiza. One of the festival’s headline acts is acclaimed Zimbabwean comedian King Kandoro, returning home as part of his internationally acclaimed comedy tour. His appearance marks a major homecoming and is expected to draw significant attention from fans across the country. Other notable performers include Bagga, Runna Rulez, Madedido and Jnr Spragga.

Kicking off the festival week is Zimbabwe’s leading civic tech convening, The Hub UnConference, taking place from 24 to 25 September. Running under the theme Decolonise the Internet, the gathering will explore the colonial legacies embedded in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, disinformation, data governance, and online narratives. It will bring together thought leaders and innovators from across the continent for urgent conversations on digital justice.

Closing with a message of peace

The festival’s climactic event, Peace in the Hood, will once again offer free entry and take place at Unit L Grounds in Chitungwiza. It traditionally draws thousands of attendees and serves as a unifying celebration of Zimbabwean creativity, resilience, and community spirit.

Tickets are available online here and at Moto Republik, 3 Allan Wilson Avenue, Harare. Advance tickets for Comedy Night are priced at $15 (gate: $20), while Mash Up Nights cost $10 (gate: $15). A double-entry advance ticket for both nights offers excellent value at $20.