ZANZÍBAR: Although most young people like to watch movies, they don’t know much about movie theaters because they haven’t experienced them. Only a few have discovered movie theaters through the stories of the elders or the school’s teachers.
As in many countries in the past, cinemas in Zanzibar have played a central role in the network over generations and have provided mass entertainment. However, movie theaters were subsequently closed for various reasons, basically globalization perpetuated by advances in science and generation. which allowed the presence of “movie theaters” in homes (television), computers and later smartphones.
The majestic movie theater, built in 1921, went unused in the 1980s. Today it is expected to reopen after extensive renovations, thanks to UNESCO and the generosity of the Government of Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The UNESCO/Japan/Saudi Arabia collaboration aims to initiate a process of rehabilitation of the Majestic Cinema and create the only interior corridor for cinema, theatre and music in the stone of the city of Zanzibar, a World Heritage Site since 2000.
Ms. Munira Humoud from Reclaim Women Space, Zanzibar, coordinates the premiere event that will take place at the end of May this year. He states that the rehabilitated cinema and theatre will be transformed into a centre of cultural creativity to contribute especially to social and economic development.
She says that the centre will provide an essential indoor venue for 3 primary festivals held in Zanzibar’s Stone City, namely the music festival ‘Sauti za Busara’ (attracts more than 20,000 visitors), the Zanzibar International Film Festival – ZIFF (attracts more than 20,000 visitors), 7,000 foreign visitors and up to 120,000 local guests) and the Jahazi Literary and Jazz Festival (several thousand visitors).
“Similarly, other upcoming events, such as the Seafood Festival and the Wedding Festival, would strengthen the use of indoor spaces as a purpose-built cultural and cinematic center. In addition, the theater will also serve as a platform for wisdom sharing and education. among heritage professionals in other facets of more modern conservation practices,” says Munira.
As such, he says, Majestic Cinema will also be an arts education hub for young people to immerse themselves in the cultural and arts industries, positioning it as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.
UNESCO’s commission for the rehabilitation of the Majestic Cinema has the sole objective of repairing the physical layout, but also to release the latent socio-economic perspectives within its walls.
The fund of the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan-MOFA) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Creating a Sustainable Heritage Ecosystem for Socio-Economic Development in Africa) have agreed on the allocation under the implementation of UNESCO’s Operational Strategy for Priority Africa (2022-2029) and its flagship programme “Cultural Heritage Promotion and Capacity Development”.
This allocation not only targets African institutions, empowering them to safeguard African heritage, but also pursues the ambition to pioneer the progress of a sustainable heritage ecosystem in Africa through the integration of other cultural and artistic industries in heritage conservation and promotion. internship. Advance socio-economic progression to gain the benefits of local communities living in and around World Heritage properties, especially women and youth, who make up 60% of Africa’s population.
This initiative aspires to breathe new life into the Majestic Cinema, turning it into a colorful area that aligns cultural heritage preservation with the aspirations of a thriving and inclusive community.
The results of this mission in Zanzibar can serve as a valuable model for many African countries, including Kenya, Eritrea, Cape Verde and Ethiopia. These countries share aspirations for local efforts in sustainable conservation and effective control to drive socio-economic development.
The specific objectives of the task include engaging stakeholders and raising awareness of the UNESCO-funded task in Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the rehabilitation of the Majestic Cinema in Zanzibar in order to foster a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for the task.
In order to provide a platform for open dialogue, the kick-off occasion aims to address concerns, gather feedback, and obtain feedback from stakeholders that would provide valuable insights into the task development plans and implementation process.
Highlight the cultural significance of the Majestic Cinema, highlighting its former importance and role in the local communities that the rehabilitation task seeks to maintain and enhance, and gain stakeholder engagement, aggregating government agencies, personal sector entities, and the local community. This goal emphasizes the importance of bringing together collectively to ensure the success of the rehabilitation task.
According to Antonio Garau, director of Hifadhi, one of the organizers of the event, the task release event in Tanzania will be an opportunity to bring together all the competent authorities, regional experts and key stakeholders of the country to show the immense potential inherent in the task, highlighting its importance in the cultural and socio-economic landscape of Stone Town, Zanzibar.
It will also be an opportunity to collect reports from other countries, including Japan, Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, on the process and demanding situations of the reuse of cultural buildings.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the big picture behind the rehabilitation of the Majestic Cinema and witness the positive effect it promises to bring to the local network and the region as a whole,” added Garau.
The launch, which will be followed by a workshop, will also be an opportunity to collect reports from other countries, including Japan, Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, on the process and demanding situations of reusing cultural buildings.
In addition to providing a platform for in-depth discussions and collaboration, the opening occasion will serve as the first opportunity to disseminate data about the task in a visual way. The national and local press, as well as UNESCO media, will be invited to participate. Capture and share the story of the task.
Garau said: “This strategic outreach aims to not only raise awareness of the project’s goals, but also generate excitement from a wider audience, fostering a sense of collective duty for the preservation and revitalisation of the Majestic Cinema in Zanzibar.
He said the occasion organized through UNESCO in partnership with its (Hifadhi) complements the efforts of the Government of Zanzibar to strengthen the role of society in the sale and conservation of Zanzibar’s heritage as a generator of inclusive development.
Representatives responsible for formulating and implementing applicable cultural and technical policies from Tanzanian ministries, foreign experts, in particular Saudi Arabia and Japan, and national organizations and agencies, representatives of the private sector and civil society organizations, as well as key actors in the activity.
He said that the launch occasion of the work entitled “Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Buildings as a Model for Socio-Economic Development” is organized through the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Dar es Salaam and HIFADHI, and that there will be no heritage experts from other countries who will share their experience through panel discussions.
Panelists will be joined by Mr. Berend Kees Van der Lans of African Architecture Matters (AA Matters), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; M. Denis Lukwago, keeper of the tombs of the Buganda kings in Kasubi, Uganda; and Dr. Alaaeldin Elwi de ‘Abdelrazek Elhabashi, founder of Beit Yakan, Cairo, Egypt.
The others are Ms. Joy Angela, Executive Director of the Akoth Mboya GoDowns Arts Centre, Nairobi, Kenya; M. Paul Marie through Franciscus Otto Morel, Stadsherstel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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