As the country is starting to open up following a decision by government to ease some of the restrictions imposed on Malawians aimed at preventing further spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Music Crossroads Malawi’s Creative Training Campus is set to host the first Pakhonde Ethno Music Festival from 27 to 29 May 2022 in Lilongwe.

The three day festival will be held at Chingalire village under the theme ‘Preserving Africa’.

In statement made available to faceofmalawi, one of the organizers said the festival has been organized to celebrate indigenous music from Malawi and around the world and is aimed at providing skills and contributing to Malawi’s creative economy.

“We look forward to a successful festival. It is an ambitious undertaking and our students are excited to begin applying their project management knowledge, gained from their cultural management training workshops, to real life projects,” said Gayighayi Mathews Mfune, Music Crossroads Malawi Director.

On his part, veteran musician Ben Michael Mankhamba, who spoke on behalf of all traditional leaders in the area said: “The community has welcomed the Festival in our village and we are excited to not only experience art from all over the world, but to also share our culture and traditions with the world.”

Billed as a family friendly event, fans will be treated with variety of activities such as crafts market, indigenous food stalls and conversations on permaculture and food sustainability.

The festival will have the Pabwalo Main Stage, Paseli Alternative Music Stage, Leo Amphitheatre Stage, Pamsika Artisan Exhibiganza, Pamudzi Food Garden and Pakwathu Eco Campsite.

The Festival is powered by Music Crossroads Malawi’s Creative Training Campus Graduates, under the tutelage of The Festival Institute, who incorporated the students’ various course projects into the various aspects of the festival.