Twenty-nine young Zimbabwean artists are set to take their talent beyond the country’s borders, travelling to China for a cultural exchange programme expected to open doors to international performances, training and professional partnerships.

The artists, drawn from different editions of the DreamStar talent search programme, will travel to Shanghai, Xi’an and Yan’an, where they are expected to stage five shows showcasing Zimbabwean culture and artistic talent.

According to organiser Steve Zhao, the eight-day tour will run until October 16, 2026, bringing together performers from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of DreamStar.

The trip comes as the programme seeks to move beyond identifying talent to creating opportunities for young artists to build sustainable careers in the creative industry.

“This year, the contestants are very good. We believe in Zimbabwe. The only thing we don't show is the talented young people,” Zhao said.

He said the decision to combine performers from three editions was influenced partly by the inability to travel to China in 2025, resulting in a larger delegation this year.

The programme has, over the years, sought to connect Zimbabwean performers with international platforms where they can develop their skills, showcase their work and explore professional opportunities.

For the young artists, the tour offers an opportunity to present their work to new audiences while engaging with potential partners in China’s creative industry.

Zhao said the delegation had been invited by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with government officials, university representatives and talent agents expected to engage with the group during the visit.

“We will be having dialogue with them. We will also be having a cultural exchange programme with them,” he said, adding that organisers hoped to identify agents who could work with Zimbabwean artists beyond the tour.

The engagements could create opportunities for performers to secure international bookings, pursue further training and establish relationships with institutions in China.

Zhao said the programme had already helped some young Zimbabweans access opportunities abroad, with more than 20 artists having performed in China and over 15 young artists having travelled to the country for further studies, according to figures he provided.

These experiences point to the potential of talent development programmes to create pathways for young people whose abilities might otherwise remain largely unknown beyond their communities.

However, the challenge remains turning such opportunities into sustainable careers in an industry where emerging artists often struggle to find promoters, funding and platforms to reach wider audiences.

Judith Mhlanga, a Harare-based top-five finalist in the 2025 edition, said she was excited about the opportunity to visit China.

“I believe that it’s a big opportunity for me to showcase my talent and to do more and unveil more talents that I have,” Mhlanga said.

The delegation’s itinerary will include three performances in Shanghai, followed by one show in Xi’an and another in Yan’an.

Beyond the performances, the artists are expected to visit historical sites in Xi’an, an ancient Chinese capital with a long cultural history.

Since DreamStar began in 2014, organisers have worked with young performers through talent identification and international exchange initiatives.