HIFA has created a platform for artists from all over the world and it has also given birth to numerous collaborations between local and international artists. At HIFA 2010 there were artists from Haiti, Mali, Senegal, Jamaica, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Cameroon, Finland, Australia, Mozambique, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Spain, India, USA, South Africa, Norway and many more. The festival's reputation has grown over the eleven years of its existence.
Norway this year brought three shows to the festival:
1. WoCalling - Women Calling - a collaboration between the Norwegian vocal group Røyst and seven extraordinary vocalists from Zimbabwe, among them singer-songwriter Hope Masike. The dance elements featured work of the two choreographers Ingri Midgaard Fiksdal from Norway and Soukaina Edom from Zimbabwe and was a celebration of female identity and creativity. The performance was accompanied by traditional Zimbabwean and western instruments and among the talented instrumentalists Tor Åge Schunemann from Norway.
2. Røyst - an all female acapella group, consisting of three Norwegian jazz vocalists Cecilie Giskemo, Maria Jardardottir and Kari Nergaard Bleivik. Their music is rooted in traditional and experimental jazz, folk melodies and rhymes from across the world and incorporated into Røyst's compositions to showcase a distinct and soulful sound.
3. Grus - a dance theatre piece about preserving the environment and war against terror, about self harming and shopping malls, and even about the public school system in Ethiopia.
From day one on Tuesday 27th April to the very last show with hundreds of people, HIFA showed us how vibrant Zimbabwe can be.