Murmures
Blantyre Arts Festival courts Rebecca Malope, Awilo Longomba
mars 2015 | Projets culturels | Musique | Zimbabwe
English
Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) which takes place in October every year since 2009 is currently in talks with several renowned artists including South Africa’s gospel songstress Rebecca Malope Freshly ground and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Awilo Longomba.
The festival will be held at Blantyre Cultural Centre from October 2-4.
BAF Executive Director Thom Chibambo confirmed the development last Friday saying they are in advanced talks with Malope, Longomba and Freshlyground as well as Oliver Mtukudzi’s daughter, other Zimbabwean artists Makoomba and Munya and Mozambican band Tikzwe.
“We will be happy to be bringing on these international artists this year. We are at an advanced stage and soon we should be finalizing everything,” said Chibambo.’
He said they have courted Malope, who has been in the country for performances after a public cry from gospel lovers in the country. The award winning gospel artist, who has several albums to her credit, has inspired many gospel artists in the country.
Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band that was formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members hail from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
Longomba is a Congolese musician who was a drummer in Viva la Musica, Stukas, Nouvelle Generation and Loketo.
Chibambo said this year they have opened up for applications from artists in good time but was quick to point out that local artists were not coming forth.
“This is the problem we have been encountering over the years; local artists seem to be lagging behind in terms of embracing the internet. They do not want to apply through the internet and instead they wait and come in at the eleventh hour,” he said.
Chibambo also said local artists need to jack up and embrace different platforms as well as expose themselves to different international festivals if they are to grow their brand and put Malawi on the map.
“For instance we have a website www.spla.pro where artists are advised to log in and put in their details so as to expose themselves. This is one of the projects BAF is doing to help artists to get that visibility on the international stage,” he said.
Chibambo said the theme for this year is Arts can do it stressing that the theme is in regard to the various challenges that the African continent is experiencing citing among others, the Ebola disease, HIV/Aids and floods.
“As BAF we will continue to promote and expose the positive side of the continent and people, the beauty, vibrant, energetic, talented and inspiring men, women and children varied culture and the arts as an expression of life, hope and creativity,” he said.
On the recent approval of the long awaited Cultural Policy by the cabinet committee, Chibambo said BAF and Arterial Network is happy with the development and that it is now time for artists to work together to have the Arts Council.
Despite facing criticism from some quarters for starting on a positive note but failing to grow, Chibambo said they are happy to sustain the festival and that they are looking forward to the best festival this year.
The festival will be held at Blantyre Cultural Centre from October 2-4.
BAF Executive Director Thom Chibambo confirmed the development last Friday saying they are in advanced talks with Malope, Longomba and Freshlyground as well as Oliver Mtukudzi’s daughter, other Zimbabwean artists Makoomba and Munya and Mozambican band Tikzwe.
“We will be happy to be bringing on these international artists this year. We are at an advanced stage and soon we should be finalizing everything,” said Chibambo.’
He said they have courted Malope, who has been in the country for performances after a public cry from gospel lovers in the country. The award winning gospel artist, who has several albums to her credit, has inspired many gospel artists in the country.
Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band that was formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members hail from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
Longomba is a Congolese musician who was a drummer in Viva la Musica, Stukas, Nouvelle Generation and Loketo.
Chibambo said this year they have opened up for applications from artists in good time but was quick to point out that local artists were not coming forth.
“This is the problem we have been encountering over the years; local artists seem to be lagging behind in terms of embracing the internet. They do not want to apply through the internet and instead they wait and come in at the eleventh hour,” he said.
Chibambo also said local artists need to jack up and embrace different platforms as well as expose themselves to different international festivals if they are to grow their brand and put Malawi on the map.
“For instance we have a website www.spla.pro where artists are advised to log in and put in their details so as to expose themselves. This is one of the projects BAF is doing to help artists to get that visibility on the international stage,” he said.
Chibambo said the theme for this year is Arts can do it stressing that the theme is in regard to the various challenges that the African continent is experiencing citing among others, the Ebola disease, HIV/Aids and floods.
“As BAF we will continue to promote and expose the positive side of the continent and people, the beauty, vibrant, energetic, talented and inspiring men, women and children varied culture and the arts as an expression of life, hope and creativity,” he said.
On the recent approval of the long awaited Cultural Policy by the cabinet committee, Chibambo said BAF and Arterial Network is happy with the development and that it is now time for artists to work together to have the Arts Council.
Despite facing criticism from some quarters for starting on a positive note but failing to grow, Chibambo said they are happy to sustain the festival and that they are looking forward to the best festival this year.
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