Source: Venice Biennale experience boosts CIMAM Preps – herald
Nyore Madzianike recently in Venice, Italy
SPORTS, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe says Zimbabwe’s participation in the 2026 Venice Biennale has provided valuable lessons that will help the country prepare to host the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art conference in Harare later this year.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2026 International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, where he accompanied Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi.
During the visit, VP Mohadi and his delegation toured the Giardini Central Pavilion, the Arsenale Pavilion and the Zimbabwe Pavilion, gaining first-hand appreciation of how countries showcase their cultural heritage and contemporary artistic expressions on the global stage.
Minister Sanyatwe said the visit exposed the delegation to international best practices in the presentation of culture and heritage, while reinforcing Zimbabwe’s readiness to host the prestigious global museums conference at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in November.
“Also, as a learning experience, it offered me an opportunity to see for myself what other countries have to offer regarding their individual cultural stories that they need to showcase to the world,” he said.
“Equally, I am very grateful that our delegation was led by Honourable Vice President Mohadi, who came as the head of our delegation to witness and see what we, as a country, can showcase to the international community.
“I was so impressed that we, as a country, started participating on this platform to exhibit, display and promote our cultural diplomacy in 2011.
“Precisely, we are now marking 15 years of participation in the Venice Biennale, despite the exhibition being held once every two years.”
Minister Sanyatwe said the country’s continued participation in the Venice Biennale had enhanced its visibility on the international arts scene and strengthened cultural diplomacy efforts.
He said the upcoming CIMAM conference would attract more than 300 high-level delegates, presenting another opportunity for Zimbabwe to showcase its cultural heritage and creative talent.
“Our artists are now being offered the opportunity to showcase what we are capable of doing as Zimbabweans,” he said.
“It allows us to speak to the globe with a view to marketing our identity, as well as pursuing our cultural diplomacy and, of course, extending it to tourism and cultural tourism.
“We, as a country, would like to believe that over the years our efforts have borne fruit. They have been well received by the international community, leading to us being identified and selected to host the international CIMAM conference in Harare.”
For Minister Sanyatwe, being selected to host the key event is a sign of confidence in Zimbabwe.
“The lesson, therefore, that we can draw, especially from this year’s exhibition, is that we must be fully prepared,” he said. Minister Sanyatwe said Zimbabwe should take pride in hosting the CIMAM conference, noting that it would be the first country in the region to host the event.
“It is a moment when we, as a country, should showcase exactly what Zimbabwe is. This may be followed by preparing and organising meaningful learning and tour programmes, preferably allowing visitors to tour the whole of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe has participated in the Venice Biennale since 2011, using the international platform to showcase the country’s contemporary art and strengthen cultural diplomacy.
The CIMAM conference is expected to bring together museum directors, curators and collections professionals from across the world, presenting Zimbabwe with another opportunity to promote its cultural heritage, creative industries and tourism potential.