Blantyre Arts Festival unveils plans for street carnival

One of the country’s major arts events, the Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF), has announced of its plans to host a street carnival on October 6 as part of the festival.

According to BAF public relations officer Luckier Chikopa, the festival street carnival, which acts as the opening act for the event will start at Old Town Hall through the Masauko Chipembere Highway to Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC) from 10am to  midday.

According to Chikopa, students from about 30 different schools will participate both in the street carnival and later performances at the BCC in various artistic cultural activities that will take place.

Said Chikopa: “Artistic cultural activities, Japanese martial arts and traditional dances will be the major acts during the street carnival. It is also an opportunity for different companies to showcase their corporate brands.”

On the inclusion of Japanese martial arts, Chikopa said it was a way of cultural exchange with different nationalities.

“This will be the first time to have martial arts displays during the Blantyre Arts Festival,” she added.

She, therefore, extended an invitation to Blantyre City mayor Wild Ndipo to launch the street carnival as the lord of the city.

This year’s BAF is being held with support from Hivos foundation through the cultural fund for Malawi and will take place from October 6 to 8. n