On March 21, poets celebrate the World Poetry Day. In Malawi, this has been going on without any fanfare. This year, however, things will be different as found out from our Arts Editor EDITH GONDWE who spoke on the day and the development of poetry in Malawi in general. Excerpts:  

Robert Chiwamba is an active poet who performs regularly

Q

: Tell us more about the International Poetry Day and what it stands for.

A

: World Poetry Day which is celebrated on March 21 was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 1999. The day was set aside with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.

Q

: What is the theme of this year’s commemoration?

A

: There is no particular overarching theme. But each jurisdiction will have to come with its own theme according to their goals, ambitions and experiences.

Q

: Has Poetry Association of Malawi organised anything to commemorate the day?

A

: Poetry Association of Malawi has organised a concert at Jacaranda Cultural Centre in Mandala, Blantyre where some of its members will perform. Poets will include myself, Raphael Sitima, Patwell Phiri, Daniel Zabuloni Dama, Aisha Samson, Mwayiwawo Boti, Billy Banda, Blessed Grant Rodi, Chimwemwe Hardson and Innocent Elias. On the day, we will also launch our amended constitution and the Poetry Media Map. However, due to Cyclone Freddy, the event has been shifted to a date yet to be announced.

Q

: Looking back, has poetry improved over the past one year?

A

: We have had mixed experiences. To an extent we made headway in as far as receiving royalties from Cosoma is concerned. Most of our members earned a little something from their sweat through the Blank Media Levies. Some poets got as much as K500 000, a thing that had never happened before. On the other hand, we had a few performances due to the high costs of organising performances as compared to the revenue realised afterwards. This was a huge setback. Other than that, our coverage in as far as poetry programmes are concerned grew to over 35 radio stations. This is progress as well.

Q

: Any additional information?

A

: We would like to implore everyone to come and commemorate with us on the day. More importantly we would like to encourage parents to buy tickets for their children who are interested in poetry. They will benefit a lot as they will learn from established poets how to write and recite on stage.

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