UK supports Lake of Stars

The British High Commission has sponsored this year’s Lake of Stars Music Festival to the tune of $74 000 (K120 million) .

The festival, which will take place in Nkhotakota from 6 to 7 September,  returns after a four-year break due to Covid-19 and change of ownership.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe yesterday, Lake of Stars director Shamilla Ellias applauded the partnership with the commission.

“This is one of the most powerful partnership that we have had. It will help us take the festival further,” she said.

Ellias said the commission will also sponsor some British artists’ side events, including the Set It Off for women artists and Day of Ideas which will target students in Nkhotakota for interactive sessions on environmental and social issues.

She also said they want to use the festival to promote tourism.

In an interview, British High Commissioner Fiona Ritchie described the partnership as an opportunity to celebrate and promote the arts sector and bilateral relations between the two countries.

“We have sponsored the whole event, including the side events which are focused on conversations, ideas and innovations that create mutual beneficial partnerships,” she said.

Ritchie also said the festival can empower young people to bring environmental awareness among Malawians.

She encouraged Malawians to patronise the event.

UK-based musician Hazel Make, who is in the country, will perform. Local musicians will include Sho Madjozi, Zeze Kingston, Temwah, Titom &Yuppe, K.O.G and Emmie Deebo as well as others from Zimbabwe and South Africa.

This year’s event will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival and 60 years of Malawi’s independence.

There will also be poetry, visual art exhibitions, workshops, community engagements and other entertaining activities.