The three-day Lake of Stars Festival (LoS) debuts at Fish Eagle Bay in Nkhotakota today through to Sunday with 70 artists, both local and international, set to share the stage at three stages.
The festival, which warmed up with a Set It Off concert featuring female artists in Lilongwe last Saturday, started yesterday with Day of Ideas featuring workshops, panel discussions and performances at the three stages of Kweza Space, Tree House and Beach.
Now under the new management of Dusty Orange Production (Dope), led by its director Sharmila Elias, who has taken over from Will Jameson, who founded it in 2004, the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary and 60 years of Malawi’s independence.
LoS Head of Media and Communication Zilanie Gondwe said Thursday evening that all was set for the festival, which successfully engaged young people and other players with Day of Ideas yesterday.
“It is Lake of Stars Festival Reactivated. A diversity of arts and the phenomenal homegrown talent, amapiano stars, African talent and European folk and electronic music,” Gondwe said.
She said Day of Ideas was all about inspiring future generations on using innovative solutions to tackle climate change.
Gondwe said fun lovers would be treated to the best of entertainment over the three days of the festival, whose main sponsor is Britain.
Elias said since its inception, the festival has impacted the creative and tourism sectors in the country through its projects and hailed UK Malawi for its support.
British High Commissioner to Malawi Fiona Ritchie said the British government would continue to support cultural and creative sectors as one way of propelling Malawi’s economic development.
“Protecting Malawi’s environment is vital and it needs more people talking. This is the reason we are partnering with LoS, apart from the long standing relationship,” Ritchie said.
With hosts such as Kimba and Cynthia Zonde Zulu, the festival, whose gates open this afternoon, will be launched on the Beach stage followed by performances from Tamba Africa, Rachael Dadd from United Kingdom.
The Beach stage tonight will also host locals Emmie Deebo, Fada Moti and Amapiano star Zeze Kingston.
Other artists from the UK performing at the festival include Sisanda and RU and K.O.G.
Other local acts performing at the festival are South Africa-based Gemini Major, Temwah, Bucci Worldwide, Daughters Band, YDC Theatre, Mzuzu Mafina, Afana Ceez, Galang’ombe Boys, Brightos Dance Crew, Sean Morgan, McLuther, Hazel Mak, Dikamawoko, Zebra Band, Mazani and Britt Cee.
Apart from UK artists, other international artists include South Africa’s Sho Madjozi, who is the regional headliner, Zambia’s Mumba Yachi, Zimbabwe’s Lindsay Chamangurangura and Finland’s DJs Sandra Susi and Milla Lehto.
