Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule has praised art for its crucial role in the development of the country including promoting tourism.
Kamtukule, who has been in the forefront working with artists in various disciplines, said this in an interview on Wednesday ahead of the fifth edition of Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo to be held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe from today through to Saturday.
“Art is used to express our culture and nurture it; it is a powerful component of tourism and we are happy to have artists at this expo which will attract delegates from several countries,” she said.
Director of Arts in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga also hailed Ministry of Tourism for working with the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture.
He said the Tourism Expo offers an opportunity to market the arts.
- Advertisement -
“Through the Department of Tourism, several groups have been engaged to showcase Malawian arts and culture during the opening ceremony. Some of them being Galang’ombe Boys and Mchinji Ingoma,” he said.
Mpondaminga also said that some of the creatives have collaborated with the organisers to have special spaces to do fashion shows as well as sip and paint sessions on Saturday, which is dedicated as a family day.
“Another category of artists have secured pavilions to showcase their brands,” he said.
Visual artist Evelyn Chisambiro, whose Kaliso Art Gallery will be hosting the sip and paint sessions, said that together with Department of Tourism and Department of Art, they want people to experience a themed sip and paint session centred around celebrating the beauty of Malawi, its lakes, mountains, wildlife and rich culture.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
“The session aims to celebrate tourism and teach people about the rich and diverse attraction areas in the country. People will have a choice of painting their favourite tourism destinations with the help of artists,” Chisambiro said.
Wildlife Environmental Society of Malawi, which spearheads Art in the Park through its chairperson Nick Hall, said they were hoping to showcase the best of visual art ahead of their festival next month.
“We are marketing Art in the Park to the tourism sector,” Hall said.
