The Easter Theatre Festival 2023 brought Blantyre alive with the vibrant spirit of theatre, dance, comedy, and poetry. For three consecutive days, the Jacaranda Cultural Centre buzzed with excitement as around 500 attendees immersed themselves in performances by some of Malawi’s finest artists. Organized by Mr. McArthur Matukuta, Executive Director of Solomonic Peacocks Theatre, the festival carried the theme “The People’s Festival” with the slogan “Everyone Counts.” The event reached an even broader audience through live streaming on Facebook, garnering around 7,000 views.
A Grand Opening
The festival kicked off in grand style on Friday, 31st March. Mrs. Q. Maulidi, Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, officially opened the festival. In her speech, she praised the organizers’ dedication and called for increased support for Malawi’s arts sector from both the government and private businesses. Mr. Matukuta expressed gratitude to the numerous volunteers and sponsors from Malawi and abroad, including Blantyre’s partner city Hannover in Germany.
International Flavors and Workshops
The festival was a melting pot of cultures and ideas. Early festivities featured a workshop on traditional dancing, setting the stage for energetic performances by Waliko Makala. The international perspective was further enriched by Mr. Siegmar Schröder, a theatre director from Germany, who showcased experimental plays and conducted a workshop on the universal language of theatre. His participation underscored the unifying power of storytelling across different cultures.
Tackling Social Issues
Saturday’s performances were a highlight, beginning with the Chichiri Prison Cultural Troupe. Their energetic dance captivated the audience and demonstrated the success of Solomonic Peacocks Theatre’s rehabilitation project within the prison. The day continued with thought-provoking performances addressing critical social issues. Solomonic Theatre Class explored intercultural marriage challenges, Young Travellers highlighted the exploitation of Malawian migrants in South Africa, and St Andrews High School focused on mental health issues.
Poet Souvenir Jana moved the audience with themes of racism and social pressure, while Jacaranda Foundation added an international touch with a French play about a girl striving to fund her education.
Enhancing Artist Visibility
Sunday, 2nd April, began with a workshop on marketing skills for artists, led by Mrs. Annedore Smith, a media consultant from Germany, and marketing expert Mr. Daniel Ngwira. They emphasized the importance of communication and digital opportunities to increase artists’ visibility. Dikamawoko Cultural Troupe then electrified the audience with traditional dancing, followed by poetry from Yona Mlakatuli and the play “The Producer” by Solomonic Peacocks Theatre. The festival concluded with a comedy by Kwathu Drama Group, leaving the audience in stitches with its witty take on traditional and modern values.
Looking Ahead
Mr. Matukuta’s closing speech was a heartfelt tribute to all participants and volunteers. He highlighted the festival’s success in embodying the theme “Everyone Counts” through diverse performances and active audience engagement. Plans for next year’s Easter Theatre Festival, scheduled from 22nd to 24th March 2024, are already underway.
A Note of Gratitude
In his message, Mr. Matukuta extended his thanks to all sponsors, including the Ministry of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, World Star Betting, the Jacaranda Cultural Centre, Maison de la France, and the City Council of Hannover in Germany. He called upon potential stakeholders to support future events and help promote Malawi’s rich cultural heritage.
“People in Europe think of Malawi as a poor country. But how can it be called poor when it has such a rich cultural heritage and such a vast variety of artistic talent? In the cultural field, Malawi certainly is a very rich country, as the Easter Theatre Festival has shown.”
– Siegmar Schröder, Theatre Director from Bielefeld, Germany