The Festival of the Dhow Countries,
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Rub shoulders with the film elite from East Africa, Asia and Europe as well as world class musicians and performing artists for ten days of film, art and celebration within the magical streets of Zanzibar's Stone Town.
Originally established in 1997 as the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) in a bid to boost the local film industry, this cultural gathering quickly expanded to feature music and performing arts before a single film had even been screened. Now an annual feature on Zanzibar's calendar, the celebration is widely considered to be East Africa's premier arts and culture event and sees some 100,000 local and international visitors turning up to enjoy the Festival of the Dhow Countries.
The festival, which takes its name from the wooden boats with triangular sails that are a strong visual symbol of this part of East Africa, aims to showcase and celebrate the cultures, art and people from this corner of the world. Nearly 100 films and videos are screened over ten days and include juried films, main features, shorts and documentaries from countries as diverse as Tanzania, France, Mozambique, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Morocco and Iran.
The majority of films are screened in locations throughout the labyrinth streets of Zanzibar's historic Stone Town. But in a bid to promote cultural conservation and community development in the area, many are also shown in the region's villages. In partnership with local communities, mobile film and video units bring the big picture to over 40 villages - around 500,000 people or half the population - throughout the islands of Zanzibar.
While the line up changes every year, visitors to the festival can also expect music, dance, theatre and performing arts ranging from an orchestra playing taraab music and a dance band from Mozambique to a Tanzanian theatre group and an arts group from China.
Rub shoulders with the film elite from East Africa, Asia and Europe at this 10 day film and arts festival held annually in the first half of July. The majority of films and events are held at a handful of locations within Zanzibar's Stone Town.
Film glitterati from the East African world, Asia, Europe and the Arab world as well as musicians, performing artists and travellers looking for an alternative cultural event.
If the 10th Festival of the Dhow Countries is anything to go by travellers can expect:
- more than 100 hundred films
- fifty music, dance, theatre and cultural groups
- fifteen workshops and seminars
- events in forty villages around the islands
Good places to stay in:
Tanzania
Hotels in Zanzibar area
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236 Hurumzi, ZanzibarThis stunning hotel was once home to one of the richest men in the Swahili Empire and has been restored to within an inch of its former glory. Located in the heart of Stone Town, it's an ideal spot to base yourself during the festival period. What's more, the hotel's Tower Top restaurant offers awesome views of your surrounding - and maybe even a birds eye view of some of the street events taking place.
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Chumbe Island, Coral ParkJust a 45minute boat ride from Zanzibar Stone Town, this hotel is perfect for unwinding after spending a few hectic days at the festival. This shining example of sustainable tourism spearheaded the protection of Chumbe Island’s spectacular marine ecosystem, where you can snorkel around the pristine coral reef, hike among the rich tropical forests of coconut palm, baobab and mangrove trees or just crash on the beach.
Other Hotels in Tanzania
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Kahawa Shamba,For something a little different, opt to stay in one of the traditional huts run by the Chagga people in their village by the foothills of Kilimanjaro. These traditional huts are made of vines from the neighbouring forest and are thatched with dried banana leaves. You won't have to forgo any creature comforts however, inside there are twin wrought-iron beds and ensuite Western-style toilets and showers.
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Old Boma Hotel, Mikindani BaySet in beautiful Mikindani Bay, with its blue waters and charming fishing town, Old Boma is a delightful heritage hotel, surrounded by lush tropical trees filled with birds and butterflies, with a swimming pool and sunset terrace overlooking the bay. A national monument, the Old Boma is a 100-year-old fort, beautifully restored into a comfortable hotel with modern facilities, whilst retaining its original features and charm.