The country is set to showcase its creative works at the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Festival in India.
The festival is scheduled for next month, when it will run from January 31 to February 15, 2026.
This will be the fourth time for the country to be participating in activities at the festival. having also been there early this year.
Director of Arts in the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga confirmed the development, saying a 17-member delegation— which includes the Malawi National Dance Troupe— will fly the country’s flag at the festival.
“We have three categories of visual arts, folkdance and folk music,” Mpondaminga said.
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Some of the members of the delegation are Lawrence Daka (visual arts), Pearson Milanzi and Samuel Phiri (folk music).
Others are Sellah Sizalande (basketry), who has replaced Milepa Arts.
“Milepa Arts were among those who were first nominated to be part of the delegation. They had no passports and were given a chance to apply for the documents.
“However, they could not get their passports on time and were replaced by Sellah Sizalande,” Mpondaminga said.
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Milepa Arts, a creative enterprise known for its eco-friendly and sustainable crafts, has since issued a statement on the issue.
Mpondaminga also said they would have loved to select another troupe to represent the country in place of Malawi National Dance Troupe but that, due to logistical issues, things did not work out.
One of the members of the delegation, James Thole from the Department of Arts but is travelling with the Malawi National Dance Troupe as choreographer, said they had started processing visas for the team.
Organised by Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism—in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Culture and External Affairs—the 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.
