HARARE, Zimbabwe – The ancient, meditative tones of the Chinese Guqin, the haunting resonance of the Zimbabwean Uhadi, and the expressive power of the piano will share one stage in Harare on June 28, 2025, in a musical encounter that defies borders and genres.
The concert, Afro-Sino Dreams, will take place at the Theatre Upstairs, Reps Theatre, and brings together three visionary artists—Anesu Ndoro, Belle Qiu, and Sabelo Nyoni—in a rare collaboration that spans continents and cultures.
The trio, who describe themselves as musical explorers, began their journey as a casual creative idea between Nyoni, a seasoned Zimbabwean pianist and choral director, and Qiu, a Guqin master from China. Their shared interest in cultural dialogue led them to Ndoro, a Zimbabwean multi-instrumentalist and instrument builder. The result is a soundscape that merges East, West, and the Motherland in ways never heard before in Zimbabwe.
Each artist brings a distinct legacy to the performance.
Qiu will showcase the Guqin, a seven-stringed zither with a 7,000-year-old history revered in Chinese culture for its spiritual and scholarly significance. Her set includes pieces dating as far back as 2200 B.C., 100 A.D., and 750 A.D., offering Zimbabwean audiences a rare glimpse into one of the world’s oldest musical traditions.
Nyoni contributes a Western classical foundation shaped by over four decades of piano mastery. She is the founder and director of Note2etoN, a choir and musical initiative dedicated to musical excellence and cross-cultural performance. Her work blends technical precision with emotional depth.
Ndoro, meanwhile, is breathing new life into Zimbabwe’s endangered musical heritage. He will perform with traditional African instruments such as the Chipendani, Xitende, Chivandudzo, Uhadi, Umakhweyana, and the Autoharp—many of which are rarely heard today. His performances serve as both revival and reinvention, drawing attention to the urgent need for preservation amid the pressures of globalization and modernity.
Organizers say Afro-Sino Dreams is more than a concert—it is a powerful act of cultural preservation and innovation. The recital aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting intangible cultural heritage through performance, education, and policy support.
The event aligns with both UNESCO’s global efforts to safeguard intangible heritage and Zimbabwe’s National Creative Industries and National Music Strategies, which emphasize the revitalization of traditional knowledge systems.
Afro-Sino Dreams also underscores the value of transnational collaboration. By weaving together ancient Chinese melodies, African folk instruments, and Western harmonies, the concert exemplifies how diversity in music can promote understanding and social cohesion.
Two performances are scheduled: a matinée at 2:30 p.m. and an evening show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Bookings can be made through www.thespotlight.co.zw or via WhatsApp/Call on +263 772 470 005.
“Afro-Sino Dreams is where East, West, and the Motherland meet in harmony,” the organizers said in a statement. “It’s an invitation for us all to reconnect with our roots while embracing the global community.”
In a statement, organisers described Afro-Sino Dreams as “where East, West, and the Motherland meet in harmony.” They urged the public to secure seats for what they called “a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey—where tradition meets innovation, and music knows no borders.”
“Join us for an evening where music becomes a bridge—connecting continents, generations, and hearts—while championing the protection and promotion of our invaluable cultural heritage,” the statement read.
Quoting UNESCO, they added: “Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage is a collective responsibility. Let us join hands in protecting the traditions, customs, and practices that define who we are.”
Event Details
• Date: 28 June 2025
• Venue: Theatre Upstairs, Reps Theatre, Harare
• Shows: Matinée at 2:30pm | Evening at 6:30pm
• Bookings: Visit www.thespotlight.co.zw or WhatsApp/Call 0772470005
