SAMANTHA MADE
For many Zimbabweans, the first encounter with Asia came long before a visit to Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Islamabad or New Delhi.
It came through cinema.
Indian classics captivated audiences for generations. Chinese martial arts films filled local cinemas in the 1980s and 1990s, while Korean dramas, Japanese storytelling and Indonesian productions have built loyal audiences in recent years.
Those cultural connections came to life on 31 July and 1 August 2026, when the inaugural Asian Cultural Festival brought together the Embassies of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Pakistan in partnership with Diplomat Media for Zimbabwe’s first festival dedicated entirely to celebrating Asian culture.
Held under the theme “Connecting Asia and Zimbabwe,” the two-day festival transformed the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and Westgate Cinemas into spaces where diplomacy met culture through performances, exhibitions, cuisine and cinema. More than 300 invited guests attended the opening day, while hundreds more joined the public celebrations on the second day.
The festival demonstrated that while international relations are often measured through trade, investment and diplomatic engagements, culture remains one of the most powerful ways of building lasting friendships between nations.
“Long before people learn about another country through politics or business, they often discover it through a film, a song, a meal or a performance,” says Reginald Chapfunga, Founder and Publisher of The Diplomat Africa and Executive Director of Diplomat Media. “Art and culture speak a universal language. They create understanding before governments sign agreements.”
That philosophy was reflected throughout the festival, where participating embassies used cinema, cuisine, music and cultural exhibitions to showcase not only their heritage but also the shared values that continue to strengthen relations between Asia and Zimbabwe.
Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr Spencer Dube, Director responsible for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, said Zimbabwe’s engagement with Asia continues to be anchored on mutual respect, solidarity and a shared commitment to sustainable development.
He said South-South cooperation now spans infrastructure development, agriculture, innovation and food security, while cultural exchanges provide an opportunity for Zimbabweans to appreciate Asia’s rich heritage and recognise the values shared with Zimbabwe’s philosophy of Ubuntu.
The opening ceremony at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe brought together ambassadors, senior government officials, United Nations representatives, business executives and artists for an evening celebrating Asia’s cultural diversity.
Describing the festival as the first initiative of its kind to unite seven Asian embassies in Zimbabwe, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding said the occasion represented more than a cultural showcase.
“Today, we gather not only to celebrate but also to build bridges,” he said, adding that the festival was designed to promote cultural interaction, strengthen friendship and deepen people-to-people connections. He noted that values such as family, community, resilience and mutual respect, deeply rooted in many Asian societies, closely resonate with Zimbabwe’s philosophy of Ubuntu.
Those bridges were evident throughout the evening as guests sampled authentic cuisine from participating countries, explored embassy exhibitions and enjoyed colourful cultural performances from China, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea. Japan also introduced visitors to its traditions through calligraphy, origami, yukata dressing, traditional games and cuisine before the evening concluded with a screening of the inspirational film YOLO.
The celebrations continued at Westgate Cinemas on 1 August, where audiences experienced feature films from China, India, Indonesia, Korea and Pakistan. Although each film reflected a unique culture and setting, together they demonstrated the universal themes of hope, resilience, ambition, family and belonging that connect people across borders.
Reflecting on the role of culture in strengthening international friendships, Indian Ambassador Bramha Kumar said differences in language, geography and tradition should never overshadow shared human aspirations.
“Through music, dance, cuisine, art, recreation and traditions, we discover that, while our customs may differ, our aspirations are remarkably similar—to live in peace, preserve our heritage and build a better future for our children.” He added that the warm relationship between Zimbabwe and India continues to grow through yoga, Ayurveda, music, cinema and cricket, which remains an enduring link between the two countries.
For Japan, the festival was an opportunity to introduce Zimbabweans to both traditional and contemporary culture.
Ambassador Maekawa Nobutaka said the Japanese exhibition had been designed to give visitors first-hand experiences of Japanese arts, crafts and cuisine, allowing them to appreciate the country’s heritage beyond what they see in films and popular culture.
The Republic of Korea likewise used the festival to demonstrate how culture creates lasting human connections.
As visitors enjoyed Korean cuisine and cultural exhibitions, Zimbabwe’s national Taekwondo team showcased one of Korea’s best-known cultural exports. Ambassador Jae-kyung Park said Taekwondo had become far more than a sport.
“Taekwondo has become a bridge connecting our countries, promoting values of discipline, respect and friendship among people of all ages,” he said.
Indonesia’s Ambassador Arief Hidayat perhaps best captured the spirit of the festival when he described cultural diplomacy as the most effective way of bringing people closer together, a philosophy reflected through Indonesia’s vibrant dances, coffee, cuisine and film.
Beyond the official programme, the festival created opportunities for meaningful conversations between diplomats, artists, exhibitors and members of the public. Aspiring actor Stephen Matambo said the event opened doors for collaboration with creatives from other countries, while aspiring filmmaker Wadzanai Bakasa described the screenings as an invaluable learning experience that demonstrated the power of storytelling to connect people from different backgrounds.
Like every inaugural event, the Asian Cultural Festival offered valuable lessons alongside its many successes. More importantly, it established a strong foundation for what organisers hope will become one of Zimbabwe’s flagship international cultural events.
Planning is already underway for the second Asian Cultural Festival, which will take place on 30–31 July 2027. Building on the success of the inaugural edition, organisers aim to expand cultural programming, strengthen public participation and create even greater opportunities for cultural exchange between Asia and Zimbabwe.
