In a bid to promote unity and culture, the Poetry Association of Malawi (PAM) Central Region Chapter has introduced a competition to promote peaceful coexistence among different cultures in the country.
The chapter says it has also introduced the competition to inspire poets to come up with compositions that are capable of inspiring listeners of all religious and cultural backgrounds.
PAM Central Region Chapter chairperson Patwell Phiri has indicated that the competition will reach its climax on the 1 June when all participants will battle it out to come up with the winner.
“Essentially, PAM Central Region Chapter came up with this idea after noticing that poetry has the potential to unite people and that’s what we intend to achieve through this competition,” he said.
Phiri said although the deadline for content submission already passed, those intending to participate are welcome to do so.
“As long as the poem falls within our theme, which is Peace Poetry, we are going to review it,” said Phiri.
He said during the finale, scheduled to take place at MADSOC Theater in Lilongwe, poets will recite poems of which judges will select the best poem.
“In short, a poem that represents diverse cultural heritage of Malawi, catchy, memorable, reflects values of unity and culture will emerge the best,” he added.
The best poem will receive an award of k100 thousand while the second and third will receive a prize of K50,000 and K30,00p respectively.
President Lazarus Chakwera’s advisor on creative industries, Q Malewezi is expected to be the guest of honour at the event.
Eligible participants are poets who are current members of PAM Central Region Chapter.
