Nkhotakota Music Fest opens to public
Nkhotakota Music Festival has opened up to the public to take part in the creation of the event by among others, introducing a competition. The festival has postponed its sixth edition which was supposed to take place on April 18, 2020 due to Coronavirus pandemic.
Youth Code the organisation behind the festival has since shifted the festival to November this year. A press statement from the organisers, says this year the biggest music festival in the district is taking the festival out to the public inviting creative Malawians to contribute in its making.
“So if you are a creative and would like to create and share something during these times, the festival would love your contribution to what has become the ‘Share Your Light’ art competition,” reads the statement.
The festival says during times of uncertainty, is when people need each other to step up and show that “ we have still so much to offer and gift each other with.” Festival Organiser and Traditional Dance Instructor at Nkhotakota Cultural Centre, JP Makawa, said music and art has shown to be great tools during times like these.
“And if it is one thing that our culture as Malawi has to offer, it is that. We are encouraged to keep our distance and stay safe these days, but that doesn’t mean that we have to stop being creative or stop being human. Actually, these times should inspire us to be more of that,” Makawa said.
Festival Manager Emilie Larsen, said this year they were looking for both Malawians and international contributions to the competition.
“We all have something to share and contribute with in times like these. It doesn’t really matter what it is you are creating, it could be a poem, a song or a piece of artwork. What matters is that you are creating something that can contribute to inspire hope, community or compassion – either within yourself, or someone else,” Larsen said.
She said for more details on the competition and requirements, people should go on their website. Some of the artists expected to star at this year’s festival include Faith Mussa and Krazy Colours.
The festival has indicated that this year it aims to be a virtual platform, by the community, for the community, to prevent the spread of the pandemic and provide support to everyone in the district. In the spirit of ‘Share your light’, the theme of this year’s festival, the organisers have encouraged the community and everyone in the country to follow guidelines on how to stop the spread of the pandemic and share the information with everyone they know and love.
Nkhotakota Youth Code, said it supports WhatsApp group with updated advice and information on how best to cope with the situation, both as individuals and on community level.
