The three-day University of Malawi (Unima) Theatre Festival kicked off on a high on Friday with several activities on song at the Great Hall in Zomba.
Now in its second edition, the festival also featured workshops on several topics such as arts funding and resource management, script writing, dance and acting facilitated by, among others, Roseline Dzanja Makata, Mphundu Mjumira and James Thole.
With theatre the main focus, the festival, which presented to the audience new talent, treated art lovers to music, dance and storytelling.
Thespian Troupe, Solomonic Peacocks, Ngwenyama Dance Troupe, Khadzu Drama Group, Tauka Arts and Chikwawa Theatre Club were some of the acts that performed on the opening day.
The second day also saw performances from secondary school theatre clubs and they included Chingale Secondary School, Ntunthama All Saints CDSS and Namichere Secondary School.
The other performances on the second day came from Unima Dance for Change, Adobe Dance Crew, Dzuwa Arts, Libre Arts Theatre, Trappy Beats, Mitundu Chisamba Dance Troupe, Nkhalango Multimedia, Luanar Creative Nexus, National Dance Troupe and ‘Ku Tiyeni’ star Praise Umali.
Unima Registrar Martin Matululu said during the official opening of the festival that Malawi needed to priotise culture in its affairs.
“Culture needs to be given the spotlight because it is key in promoting and preserving our identity,” Matululu said.
He said the university had placed much attention on arts through its School of Arts, Communication and Design.
“We cannot run away from culture,” he said.
The festival’s chairperson Zindaba Chisiza said the event was an inclusive chapter which focused on all dimensions.
“Last year was the beginning and this year has been great with so many improvements. This is an expression and educative platform for students,” Chisiza said.
Standard Bank’s Head of Marketing Tamanda Ng’ombe said they were happy to be part of the festival as the main sponsor, having pumped in K15 million through the Joy of Arts initiative.
“The festival embodies a shared commitment between the bank and University of Malawi to nurturing creativity, preserving heritage and driving growth in Malawi’s vibrant cultural landscape,” she said.
Ng’ombe said that art is not just for entertainment purposes but is also a cornerstone of cultural identity.
“It is a driver of economic opportunity, and a medium through which we preserve and celebrate our history and it is high time that we recognise its power and encourage more youths in the country to embrace their creativeness and harness art as a viable career path,” she said.
Ng’ombe said through the Joy of Arts initiative, Standard Bank had formed partnerships in music, drama, poetry, photography and visual arts, aiming to celebrate and empower the nation’s creatives.
Tilitonse Foundation Chief Executive Officer Robert White said theatre has always been on top of their bill in their programmes.
The festival, which also had its other happenings at the Little Theatre, ended yesterday featuring workshops and more performances.
