Mwezi Wawala makes another historical mark
Mwezi Wawala International Theatre and Arts Festival held at the Nanzikambe Arts Café in Naperi, Blantyre from Friday to Sunday proved a success.
A variety of arts and theatre activities that have both huge and small following were staged. However, it was stage plays, acoustic music, contemporary dance, visual arts and story-telling categories that starred the best acts of the festival.
Held simultaneously with the 10-year anniversary celebration of Nanzikambe Arts Theatre, the festival lived to the billing in almost all the segments of an international festival. Security was tight, the venue was well lit and there was good sound from small, but powerful speakers mounted around the venue.
As usual, the festival also scored high in time management, events started on time and artists performed accordingly, except where the audience wanted more.
The festival began with a music session and as hosts, self-styled Fikisa did not disappoint. They displayed a spectacular performance that hyped the anticipation of the night and drove the mood into frenzy of excitement, ululations and hand claps.
Chancellor College Travelling Theatre also set the mood with their re-worked play, Long Live Vava.
Nanzikambe Arts then took over with a contemporary dance before performing again a one man act, The Story of a Tiger acted by Mbene Mbunga Mwambene.
Saturday exposed a mixed-bag of both local and international artists and despite Nanzikambe thrilling the audience with a play, The Messenger, China’s acoustic musicians Dong Ying and Du Wenting and Germany’s Almut Slezak proved their international titles and mesmerised the sizable audience at the venue.
Budding artist Jazmine, Agoroso and Patrick Simakweli also proved to the visitors that Malawi is not an underdog in acoustic music.
“We are very impressed by the acts displayed at the café. It was fun, exciting and educational. It was a wonderful way to learn about multiculturalism and celebrate the return of the summer season,” said the festival coordinator Vincent Maluwa.
Organisers have pledged the return of the festival next year.
