An organisation operating under the name Dzidalire Foundation has teamed up with the Ministry of Tourism to organise a festival dubbed “Heart Festival” aimed at fostering peace and coexistence between different cultures in the country.
Dzidalire Foundation founder Mama Cecilia Kadzamira said the festival would be held from July 26 to 29 at a venue to be announced.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday in Lilongwe, Kadzamira said the festival would be held under the theme “Our Heritage, Our hearts”.
She said activities at the festival have been carefully tailored to educate young people about culture, saying a lot of them do not know their cultural backgrounds.
“This country is divided in regions where they have different tribes. So, the festival will bring those people together to know their roots through dressing, dancing and singing,” she said.
Kadzamira, who was Official Hostess of Malawi’s first President Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, added that people from all cultural backgrounds will be invited to showcase their activities.
In her remarks, Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule said the ministry has decided to join forces with the festival organisers after noticing the festival’s potential of boosting tourism.
“This festival will bring activities most people do not know about in our cultural context, in issues to do with food, precious stones and other things,” said Kamtukule.
The minister thanked Dzidalire Foundation for coming up with the idea, saying government alone cannot fully develop the country’s tourism sector.
“Going forward, I really hope this festival will become a yearly event,” she said.
Meanwhile, the festival organisers have also announced that plans are underway to partner neighbouring countries that share similar traditional values with Malawi.
