A 20-member Malawi cultural contingent left the country on Wednesday through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe for New Delhi in India to participate at the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Festival.
This year’s festival starts Friday and ends on February 23.
Malawi is starring at the festival, following up from the 37th edition.
Organised by Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Culture and External Affairs, Surajkund Festival is the world’s largest crafts fair.
This annual event celebrates the lesser known folk traditions and cultural heritage of India, with the aid of fine and performing artists invited from all over the world.
The festival was first held in 1987 and is renowned for its ability to attract lovers of arts and crafts from all over the world.
Over the years, the festival has come to occupy a place of pride and prominence on the tourist calendar of the region.
According to a statement from the High Commission of India, last year the festival attracted over 1.3 million visitors and participation of more than 45 countries, with 592 foreign artists.
James Thole from the Department of Arts, who is part of the delegation, said yesterday, before departure, that this is a huge platform for Malawi to market its creative products.
“Malawi first participated at the festival in 2020. It is huge and, so, it gives us a chance to penetrate the international market and showcase our culture,” Thole said.
He said, this time around, Malawi is being represented by basketry (Elyn’s Baskets from Lilongwe), Fashion (Abraj Fashions from Blantyre), Embroidery (Angelicious Designs from Lilongwe) and Malawi National Dance Troupe from the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture.
“During the previous outing, we went to the festival with a private performing troupe and now we have the Malawi National Dance Troupe. This is the first external trip for the new team that was recruited in 2023,” Thole said.
Director of Arts in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga said the Malawi National Dance Troupe would do a series of performances at the festival.
“We expect the group to put Malawi on the map and promote our cultural expressions to the rest of the world. This comes after Malawi and India signed a memorandum of understanding on arts and culture last year,” Mpondaminga said.
Some of the artists that flew the country’s flag at the previous edition included Maggie Kadrum, Lawrence Daka of Dingilo Arts and Crafts and Regina Mlambe.
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