German boosts Blantyre Arts Festiva with 4000 Euros

A woman beating the drums at last year's festival

The Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) has received a financial boost from
the German Embassy which handed over a cheque worthy 4000 Euros (about
K94 0000)

German Ambassador to Malawi Rainer Müller said they felt it possible
to sponsor the festival which accomodates almost all forms of art like
music, theatre, dance and spoken word.

"At the festival, the audience could listen to a band from Zimbabwe,
contemporary dance from South Africa and poetry from Africans based in
the United States, Jamaica and other countries," said Müller whose
country has been sponsoring the invent since its inception in 2008.

He said it is always important for any instiution or body to be
involved in arts which is a pivot on human development.

"I think the history of humankind has proven that human development is
not possibld without the development of arts.

"That has been true for the past and it is true for our morden times.
It is through arts that we define our culure, that we learn who we
are, how we reflect on ourselves, our lifes and that helps us
understand and overcome constraints and difficulties," he said.

BAF General Secretary Thomas Chibambo it is through such sponsorship
that the festival is forging ahead.

"This is the festival which aims at developing linkages within the
diverse cultural discipline in the country and those from abroad," he
said.

Chibambo said that they are now planning to hold outreach programmes
in the country to woo Malawians to start appreatiating their cultural
heritage and the importance of participating in the festival.

Deputy Director of Arts and Culture in the Ministry of Tourism,
Wildlife and Culture Benard Kwilimbe said the money is a milestone in
contributing to the development of arts in the country.

"The relationship between the arts department and the German Embassy
dates back to the colonisation era whereby they used to buy musical
equipment to local traditional bands. This is also welcome because if
you relate culture to development, then this a fabric to the future.
The embassy is really a friend indeed, but above all, a friend ineed,"
he said.