Blueprint for Majestic Cinema - every ending is always a new beginning
On the 15th of February 2021 the Blueprint for Majestic Cinema project funded by Culture at Work Africa and co-funded by the European Union was officially concluded. The end of the project coincided with the official campaign launch of the Majestic Culture Hub initiative and marks an important turning point in the long-standing collaboration between Zanzibar’s leading cultural and social operators: Busara Promotions, (Re)claim Women Space, Zanzibar International Film Festival and Hifadhi Zanzibar Ltd.
The overall aim of the project was to gain an in-depth understanding of the social, historical and cultural importance of the Majestic Cinema, create a brand for the culture hub and prepare draft documents that will guide the future restoration of the cinema building. AAmatters contributed to the historical research and the development of a tentative programme for the building and an operational strategy for its future use.
The campaign to restore the Majestic Cinema and repurpose it as a culture hub was officially endorsed by the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Madam Leila Muhamed Mussa on the 15th of February during the Majestic Culture Hub event and exhibition. With the support of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Hifadhi Zanzibar Ltd. and the rest of the partners continue the work to ensure that this important part of Zanzibar’s heritage serves the community in the future.
You can read more about the Majestic Culture Hub on its website and follow the initiative on the FB page.
Culture at Work has also prepared an online catalogue showcasing the projects realised as a part of their grant where you can get a glimpse of the event and listen to a short audio on cinema in Stone Town prepared by the students from KAWA Training Centre in Zanzibar: https://www.cultureatworkafrica.art/room5-en
All pictures courtesy of Hifadhi Zanzibar Ltd.
Video by Sam Kaka
