Malawi’s Mwezi Wawala international arts festival premiers
Glitz and glamour are expected to characterize what would be a dream come true as Mwezi Wawala International Arts and Theatre Festival turns into reality this weekend.
Hosted by Nanzikambe Arts organization, the festival to be premiered on Friday at the institution’s home base, Naperi in Blantyre, Mwezi Wawala has attracted artists from across the continent as well as overseas.
The three-day multicultural event pulls together a cream of artists ranging from musicians, actors, poets to dancers from countries like from German, Ghana, Kenya, Togo, Botswana and Zimbabwe among others.
Assortment of performers to the intercontinental feast has been germinated, according to Nanzikambe’s Special Projects Coordinator, Nkhwachi Peter Mhango to give the patronage an extensive collection of artistic works that will satisfy their interest.
Mwezi Wawala is set to be first arts festival to be held this year in Malawi attracting attention of several artistic groups from across Africa and overseas.
As the clock tick-tock to the amusing and exciting display of artistic masterpieces, participating artists could hide their expectations while promising fireworks.
Crystal Tettey, a Spoken Word (poet) artist from Ghana described the festival as a multicultural amazing and interactive experience.
“It’s my first international festival and I would like to use it to watch and learn from other artists and if possible work with them. I am bringing Ghanaian magic to the festival and people should come out in their large numbers to experience thrilling works I have prepared for them,” said Tettey leading female Spoken Word artist in Ghana.
With her works done mostly in English, Ga and Twi, Tettey productions blended with various suiting music genres, revolves round pertinent issues affecting Africans from youth unemployment, gender imbalance to unpopular xenophobia.
Ghetto Waves Productions from Botswana comes to the festival with its educative piece, The Debt that tackles problems emanating from global recession and currency devaluation.
“The Debt is a breath-taking, entertaining and educating play that talks about problem people face when they got themselves involved in financial debt. The play will play a significant role to Africans who are currently being affected by issues of recession,” explained Pheneas Botlhele member for Ghetto Waves Productions.
Botlhele said a six-man play making its second appearance at international arts festival, was designed to provide solutions to people who suffer under the shackles of debt, and called on theatre lovers to never miss the play.
The Debt a comic theatrical masterpiece was once performed at Imtwasa Arts Festival in Zimbabwe and will be second time to be performed outside Botswana.
In another interview, Ramses Alfa an actor from Togo described Mwezi Wawala as a moment for artists across the globe to showcase and share experiences.
Alfa who is here with a two-man play, Ein Schritt Vorhaus (step ahead) originated from a text by Kokouvi Dzifa Galley, promised nothing but fireworks and thrilling moments for those to patronise the festival.
“Our play is about immigration matters. Its well crafted play was once performed in German and it will our first time to stage it in Africa. Its very comic, heart-touching, I hope will love it,” said Alfa.
The festival is also expect local artists such as Marco Sadik, Ben Mankhamba, Waliko Makhala, Charles Chavalamangwere Mkanthama (ethno musician), Agoloso and of course the acoustic duo of Edgar ndi Davis; Malawi’s own poets Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa, Q Malewezi and Linda Poetic Angel Gabriel.
On theatre, apart from Nanzikambe itself, Chancellor College Theatre and St Andrew International High school theatre are set to entertain theatre enthusiasts.
The moment is here when arts pundits brace themselves for night skies that twinkle with gleaming stars and the moon in its full radiance, mingling with softer glow of oil lamps on the side walls, as folklore drums rumble to the tempo of its strummer, dancers’ limbs flow in waves of rhythm and folktale tellers sinking hearts to the lure of their tales.
The festival would be preceded by training workshops .
“Mwezi Wawala” is a Chichewa phrase meaning “the moon is out and shining and so let us play and enjoy!”.
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