The Department of Arts in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture has called on event organisers to ensure compliance with the national arts and heritage events calendar to avoid conflicts of events.
The department’s director Humphrey Mpondaminga said there re continued concerns about overlapping events.
He said the calendar is shared with all stakeholders so that they align their events to the national arts and heritage calendar.
harmmony. | Wantwa Mwamlima
“The calendar is there to guide all players and promote harmony in events planning. When events clash, it affects attendance and impacts the visibility of creative talent. We urge organisers to follow the calendar and inform the department when planning,” said Mpondaminga.
He said they have released the calendar as a reminder to organisers to follow it.
Mpondaminga disclosed that the department is exploring mechanisms to strengthen adherence, including encouraging organisers to request confirmation before planning events.
National Arts Schools Festival of Theatre (Nasfet) founder and organiser James Kitchen said there has been a rise in festivals whose organisers are unaware of the national events calendar.
“Some organisers go ahead with planning without checking what’s already scheduled. This leads to unnecessary clashes considering that it also hurts attendance of other events,” he said.
Kitchen added that many new events lack originality which could be addressed by studying the calendar to avoid duplication.
“If organisers took time to understand what events already exist, they could bring in new ideas and unique themes. That way, we enrich the creative space instead of overcrowding it with similar things,” he said.
Kitchen appealed for improved communication among event organisers and greater collaboration with the ministry.
Musicians Union of Malawi president Vita Chirwa said organisers should strive to align events with the calendar for the sake of sanity and proper coordination.
“Event organisers should take the calendar seriously if we are to promote the cultural and creative industry collectively,” he said.
The Department of Arts updates the calendar with all main and registered cultural and heritage events. It encourages organisers to submit their event plans in advance for inclusion and better coordination.
Some of the events in this year’s calendar include Umthetho Festival, Gonapamuhanya Festival, Nasfest, Lake of Stars and Unima Theatre Festival.
