Malawi Cultural Festival set for September
The much awaited Malawi Cultural Festival (MaCFest) is set to become a reality as it concurs with this year’ Tourism Week next month.
MacFest, initiated by Ministry of Tourism has been rescheduled a couple times due to undisclosed reasons, but officials from the ministry have since confirmed of new dates for the festival.
It will be held between 22nd and 23rd September this year MacFest spokesperson, James Thole has disclosed.
Despite earlier on scheduled to be held in Mangochi district, the festival will be held at alternative venues of Civo Stadium and Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe. Performances and Exhibitions shall start from 8 in the morning till late.
“This year’s Tourism Week will run together with the Malawi Cultural Festival (Macfest). Except for a few selected performances and exhibitions, the festival will be free of charge. MaCFest official Launch is on Saturday 22nd September at Crossroads Hotel. It will feature performances by Chindime and Samalani, Parker Town Band and music by Ben Mankhamba,” said Thole.
MaCFest Categories
This year’s MaCFest categories, which aim at offering family entertainment and educational experience, will include Dances, Film, Music, Poetry, Theatre, Traditional children’s games, folktales and songs as well as Visual arts.
It will also, according to Thole, feature fashion and design by Malawi’s celebrated fashion designer, Lilly Alfonso who made headlines in London and Clemoh.
“As of dances, we expect to have Gulewamkulu ‘4 Engine’ from Dowa and the versatile Malawi National Dance Troupe. Patrons will also be treated to the music by Black Missionaries, Ndingo Brothers Band & Ethel Kamwendo Banda.
“Poetry anchored by Que Malewezi will also feature Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa, up and coming Duwa Mvula and Felix Njonjonjo Katsoka. The ever green Chichewa leading drama group, Kwathu and Nanzikambe Arts are set to showcase their theatre productions,” Thole added.
On visual arts, the festival is expected to feature Eva Chikabadwa, Noah Kapitapita, Peter Masina and the Mouth Painter, Chayera.
Being a local celebration of the country’s arts and culture, MacFest will be spiced up local foods which will be on sale at affordable prices.
“Non-alcoholic beverages shall also be available for sell and in addition Southern Bottlers shall give the youths a chance to test the rebranded coke for free. There is a festival cloth, which is on sale right now,” he said.
Sponsors
The premier edition of the Malawi Cultural Festival is sponsored, apart from government, by several other stakeholders among include National Aids Commission (NAC), Sana Cash & Carry, Bishop SIMAMA, Lilongwe City Assembly, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC), Southern Bottlers Limited.
Macfest will be a third arts and cultural festival the country is expected to have this year apart from Mwezi Wawala Arts and Theatre festival to be hosted by Nanzikambe and Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) set for early October.
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