HARARE - Zimbabwes NAMA award winning author and poet, Ignatius Mabasa, reportedly thrilled his audience at the San Francisco International Poetry Festival (SFIPF) in the US, which started July 23 and ends today. (Pictured: Zimbabwes NAMA award winning author and poet, Ignatius Mabasa)Press reports said Mabasa got a standing ovation at the Palace of Fine Arts where he performed to mammoth crowds. The festival was held at public libraries and various venues throughout San Francisco and all events were free and open to the public.
Mabasa shared the stage with several poets, including the legendary US poet and publisher, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Welsh poet Menna Elfyn , Roy “Chicky” Arad from Israe), Maram al-Massri from Syria and many others. The programme was a mixture of readings, film screenings, workshops, childrens story time, translation colloquy and music.
An eclectic and original Shona voice, Mabasa has published two acclaimed novels Mapenzi (1999) and Ndafa Here? (2008). His poetry is featured on Poetry International website as well as in Tipeiwo Dariro and Muchinokoro Kunaka. Besides writing, Mabasa is also a deputy director for the British Council in Zimbabwe.
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