Zanzibar Logos Circle – July 2026 Report

Logos Circle – Chukwani, July 2026

Date: 3 July 2026

Location: Chukwani

Registered on Luma: 8

Attended: 7 participants, including 5 returning participants

Languages: Swahili, English

Participants

Number of attendees and countries represented

7 attendees from 4 countries

Backgrounds

Artists, student researchers, and coordinators

Areas of interest and focus

  • Plastic pollution and environmental awareness

  • Behavior change through art

  • Community building

  • Music, poetry, dance, theatre, and storytelling

  • Youth engagement

  • Social impact initiatives

Topics Discussed

Community Building and Reflection

Key Points & Insights

The session began with participants preparing and sharing a meal together. As in previous meetings, this created opportunities for conversation, collaboration, and relationship building.

The group then enthusiastically recited the Impact Circle manifesto together, reinforcing the shared values and commitments that guide the initiative.

Challenges or Open Questions

  • How can the strong sense of community be maintained as the initiative grows?

Solutions, Ideas, or Proposals

  • Continue using shared meals, movement activities, and the manifesto as recurring elements of Circle meetings.

Action Items or Next Steps

  • Finalize the manifesto for use at future events and performances.

Media Outreach and Public Engagement

Key Points & Insights

The group reflected on its first radio interview and agreed that the preparation process had been effective. Participants felt well prepared, answered questions confidently, and received positive feedback on the original awareness song performed during the interview.

The group also discussed an upcoming radio interview scheduled for the following week and identified opportunities to further strengthen the presentation, including sharing the manifesto.

Challenges or Open Questions

  • How can the group communicate complex environmental issues in a simple and engaging way?

Solutions, Ideas, or Proposals

  • Continue refining key messages and using artistic performances to communicate them.

Action Items or Next Steps

  • Prepare for the upcoming radio interview.

  • Finalize materials to be shared during the interview, including the manifesto and awareness song.


Development of the Plastic Awareness Show

Key Points & Insights

The main focus of the session was designing a live performance that raises awareness about plastic pollution, encourages behavior change, and remains entertaining and engaging for audiences.

The group discussed both the structure and artistic flow of the show. The current concept combines traditional and contemporary artistic forms to appeal to diverse audiences.

The proposed programme includes:

  • An opening musical piece featuring flute and bass guitar, inspired by the rhythm and energy of Singeli music.

  • A spoken-word poetry performance.

  • A contemporary dance theatre piece exploring the relationship between nature, the ocean, and plastic pollution. Costumes will incorporate both discarded materials and natural elements.

  • A short theatrical performance.

  • A traditional Zeze performance including singing and ankle bells.

  • Contemporary music performances, including rap and Singeli-inspired pieces.

  • A second poetry performance.

  • A collective recitation of the Impact Circle manifesto by all artists.

Participants emphasized the importance of balancing educational content with entertainment value in order to attract and retain audiences.

Challenges or Open Questions

  • How can environmental messaging remain engaging without becoming overly instructional?

  • How can the different artistic pieces be woven into a coherent overall narrative?

Solutions, Ideas, or Proposals

  • Use a variety of artistic forms and emotional tones throughout the show.

  • Build a clear narrative arc that moves from awareness to action and collective responsibility.

Action Items or Next Steps

  • Participants have been divided into smaller working groups.

  • Each group will develop its assigned artistic piece before the next Circle meeting.

  • The full programme will be refined and assembled over the coming sessions.


Winnable Issue Update

Winnable Issue

Reducing the use of single-use plastic bottles in Zanzibar through awareness, education, and behavior change.

Updates Since the Previous Circle

The initiative received invitations to perform and share its work in public settings.

Current opportunities include:

  • A performance during Cultural Day at Cuza Cave.

  • A performance at an upcoming community clean-up event organized by Kawa Foundation at the Botanical Gardens, where approximately 100 participants are expected, including public officials and community leaders.

These opportunities provide an important platform for testing and refining the group’s awareness-raising approach.

Blockers

  • Artistic pieces are still under development.

  • The overall show structure requires further refinement and coordination.

Planned Follow-up Actions

  • Working groups to develop their respective artistic contributions.

  • Prepare for the upcoming radio interview.

  • Continue refining the overall performance concept and narrative structure.


What We Learned / To Improve / New Ideas

Things That Worked Well

  • Strong participant engagement throughout the session.

  • Shared cooking and meals continue to strengthen relationships and trust.

  • The manifesto created a strong sense of shared purpose.

  • Reflection on the radio interview increased participants’ confidence.

  • The show-development process generated significant enthusiasm and creativity.

Areas for Improvement

  • Continue refining coordination between the different artistic components.

  • Clarify timelines and responsibilities as the project grows.

New Ideas or Experiments to Try Next Time

  • Test portions of the show with live audiences and gather feedback.

  • Integrate the manifesto into future public performances and media appearances.

  • Explore additional performance opportunities with community partners.

1 Like

Welcome to the forum, Carolin, and lovely to see Zanzibar going strong :raising_hands: The energy in this circle really comes through.

The plastic awareness show is shaping up beautifully. Combining flute and Singeli, spoken word, dance theatre with costumes made from discarded materials, Zeze, and the manifesto into one performance is a genuinely creative way to make environmental messaging stick, people remember a show far longer than a lecture. And your instinct to build a clear narrative arc from awareness to action to collective responsibility is spot on, that’s what will turn a great performance into actual behaviour change

The traction is what stands out most… a first radio interview done well, another lined up, and now invitations to perform at Cultural Day and the Kawa Foundation clean-up with around 100 people including public officials. That’s real reach for the winnable issue, and the clean-up especially is a perfect stage, an environmental event is exactly the right audience for your message.

One small thought.. as you test the show at these events, try to capture a little feedback each time (even just what landed and what didn’t with the crowd). It’ll help you sharpen the show fast, and those live reactions make great content for the next radio spot too.

Excited to hear how the performances go. Keep it up

1 Like