By James Nyandowe In a country where poetry was given little attention, Blackbird Zimbabwe has proved a beacon of hope for many talented yet little exposed poets .Through her initiatives ,Cynthia ” Blackbird Zimbabwe ” Mapando hoped to empower and provide a platform for avid poets to mingle ,share, and explore untapped opportunities that ,unbeknown to them ,lay at their doorsteps .Poetry Red Carpet, one of her numerous initiatives which she began in 2022 and has evolved over the years, is set to be hosted this Friday in Harare .” We are thrilled to host the 4th edition of Poetry Red Carpet, which has evolved to become a premier poetry event in the country, “said Blackbird. She said she was inspired after realising the lack of recognition for poetry in Zimbabwe. ” In Zimbabwe, poetry was not really given much value ,like when other industries were celebrated ,there was little done to celebrate poetry, and people used to write and kept art to themselves without showcasing them’” Now we have created this platform everyone was looking forward to it ,everyone was just amazed,” she added. Since its inception 4 years ago ,Poetry Red Carpet has provided an excellent opportunity for local poets to converge and share their work as well as link with like-minded individuals. She noted, ” we have seen poetry impact communities ,especially among artists who previously did not have an outlet to showcase their craft .”This year’s theme ,”A Poetic Love Affair,”depicts the intimate connection between love and poetry. ” Poetry is a relatable genre when it comes to love .A person can actually spread affection through poetry.”“We were trying to bring out and put poets together from every corner of Zimbabwe, celebrating love and using poetry as a mouthpiece to spread love, hence the theme ,” she said .The event has grown in popularity, attracting international attention due to its uniqueness manifested in its capability to bring people from different cultures and backgrounds. ” We created a room where different cultures from different environments cam meet ,giving them excitement and fascination .”“This year, we are expecting to receive people from Botswana and even South Africa to be part of the event in Harare tomorrow,” she pointed out .As Poetry Red Carpet continues to leave a lasting legacy ,Blackbird expressed her vision for the future saying ” we are going to leave an indelible mark, A footprint for everyone who wants to host similar events in the spirit of uplifting poetry.”The 4th edition promises to be an unforgettable event with its unique blend of dinner ,awards, and performances. Post navigation Boss Matsanga Returns Home; Aspired to Influence Behavioural Change in Zimbabwe Soulful Serenader: Acka Bluez Weaves a Timeless Musical Tapestry