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Pam bemoans funding woes towards Land of Poets Fest

Genre : Society news
Principal country concerned : Column : Poetry / story telling
Release/publication date : 2015
Published on : 15/06/2015
Source : http://www.times.mw/pam-bemoans-funding-woes-towards-land-of-poets-fest/ 12 June 2015


Poetry Association of Malawi (Pam) has disclosed that it is going on with the organisation of Land of Poets (LoP) event despite funding woes towards the function which is slated for July 5 and 6.



The association lamented the reluctance of organisations to assist in the financing and supporting in uplifting of poetry and other artistic incentives in the country.



Pam spokesperson Sylvester Kalizang'oma said in interview that requests for sponsorship to complement the association's budget to run the function has hit a snag in most organisations.



"Most of the institutions that we have written requesting to help complement our budget towards the event show no interest to assist us but that does not deter us from proceeding with the event," said Kalizang'oma.



"Poetry and the art industry as a whole is facing the same challenge because most people and organisations are more interested in funding football than assisting creativity," added Kalizang'oma.



He further said that the past Land of Poets gatherings have been facing criticisms from all corners forcing them to re-strategise in the operations regarding event activities.



He added that the association has invited poets from across the country saying people complained of dominance of a few individuals.



The event will be held for two days to accord every poet that is coming to perform adequately without interruptions as it has been the case," said Kalizang'oma.



He assured participants that this year Land of Poets commemorations will surpass the previous activities following a positive response from influential poets and writers.



Meanwhile, according to Pam, David Rubadiri will grace the occasion alongside John Chipembere Lwanda, Felix Munthali of Mzuzu University and Okomaatani Malunga among others.



The festival this year is under the theme: 'Poetry in every home' and that the estimated budget for the event which will also have a poetry cocktail is over K11 million.

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