By Thumbiko Nyirongo, Mana
At last Malawi ancestors can afford to
smile following the launch of ‘Warm Heart Poetry Festival’ which aims at restoring
and promoting Malawian culture.
At exactly 1:44 pm on
Sunday, a Malawian National Anthem led by a young girl marked the historic
launch of the Warm Heart Poetry Festival at Blantyre Culture Centre (BCC).
The National Anthem
followed a number of childhood songs such as the famous ‘Amina-Amina’ which reminded
hundreds of spectators not only their childhood but also Malawian cultural
values, as said by one of the spectator.
“The songs really
reminded me of my childhood and it is pathetic that children nowadays are not
aware of such songs,” said Yusita Matemba, who was accompanied by her two
children.
After the songs, the
stage was left for Chichiri Prison Culture Troop who mesmerized the Culture
Centre with ‘unique’ dancing skills and traditional songs.
Later it was time for
the poets to crack brains with their poems full of culture; Yankho Seunda,
Sylvester Kalizang'oma, Ian Tambala, Esnart Tambala and the veteran Alfred
Msadala were among the poets who performed.
In an interview with
Malawi News Agency (MANA) host for the festival, Babangoni Chisale said the
festival aimed at promoting Malawian culture.
“We have organized this
festival with the aim of promoting Malawian culture and values. We thought of poetry as one of the tool we
can use to promote culture.
This is our country and
we are supposed to be proud that we are in Malawi and are born to be Malawian
and nothing can change that,” said Chisale.
According to Chisale, Warm
Heart Poetry Festival’ will be an annual event which will be held in July.
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