By Sam Banda Jnr & Jimmy Chazama:
Lake of Stars Festival (LoS) Reactivated is done and dusted and organisers under the new leadership said yesterday they would consult partners at all levels to analyse this year’s edition ahead of next year’s event.
Having been out of the limelight for four years, the festival returned to the fold last weekend debuting at Fish Eagle Bay in Nkhotakota with close to 70 acts performing before the curtain went down on Sunday.
LoS spokesperson Zilanie Gondwe said they have had overwhelming comments from people as well as questions, with some seeking reassurance on next year’s festival.
“We shall certainly update them on the new date soon. We want to analyse the festival and utilise learnings to plan for the next edition. We are humbled by the massive excitement and encouragement and look forward to bringing the festival in 2025,” Gondwe said.
She revealed that the stage they were using as per usual will be recycled into hundreds of desks and donated to local schools.
“The local tree planting programme will be supported as well,” Gondwe said of the festival whose main sponsor was the government of Britain.
The festival featured both local and international artists in the disciplines of poetry, music, traditional dances and theatre in the three stages of Beach, Tree House and Kweza as it celebrated its 20th anniversary and Malawi’s 60th independence.
Meanwhile, apart from performances, the last day of the festival hosted panel discussions and workshops aimed at fostering dignified and fulfilling work in the creative and cultural industries.
Special Adviser to President Lazarus Chakwera on Creative Industries, Q Malewezi, stressed the need for sustainable career paths, highlighting the struggles of promoting the country’s culture during a panel discussion.
“We need to create an ecosystem that nurtures our artists, where they can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our cultural heritage,” Q, said.
Gondwe, who was among the panelists, spoke of exploring ways to create a more supportive environment that values creativity and cultural contributions.
“By empowering our creatives and providing them with the necessary resources and platforms, we can unlock the full potential of our cultural industry and showcase our unique stories to the world,” she said.
