A Malawi team left Thursday through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe to showcase its arts and culture at the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Festival in India.
The festival, a celebration where cultures come alive, starts tomorrow and ends on February 15 2026.
This is the fourth time that Malawi is participating at the festival, having been there early last year.
One of the members, who is part of the delegation, James Thole from the Department of Arts, but is travelling with Malawi National Dance Troupe as choreographer, said yesterday they were looking forward to another great outing at the festival.
“The team is ready, just like we have done in past outings. We want to showcase the best of Malawi, in terms of arts and culture,” Thole said.
- Advertisement -
Apart from the Malawi National Dance Troupe, which will showcase traditional dances, the delegation includes exhibitors Zakwathu Malawi led by Sella Sizalande and Dingilo Arts and Crafts driven by Lawrence Daka.
Sizalande said they were excited to be part of the group flying Malawi’s flag at the festival.
“We are not just going there to sell baskets but also to showcase the talent and the spirit of Malawi. We are looking forward to meeting people from different cultures as well as exchange ideas,” she said.
Malawi National Dance Troupe has been working with veteran musician Pearson Milanzi as well as Samuel Phiri, a part time lecturer at University of Malawi to translate some of the Malawian folk songs into dance.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Director of Arts in the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga said a 17-member delegation will be representing the country at the festival.
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.
The annual festival 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.
Singer and guitarist Maggie Kadrum is one of the artists who has starred at the festival in one of the previous editions.
