Malawian Artist Headed to International Craft Festival
Mlambe said she hopes to learn new techniques for environmental conservation and waste management that she can bring back to Malawi.
LILONGWE, Malawi- A Lilongwe-based visual artist who also teaches French at Likuni Boys Secondary School will represent Malawi at the upcoming Surajkund International Craft Festival in India, writes Benson Kamonjola.
Regina Mlambe is one of 14 Malawians invited to the festival, which runs Feb. 2-18 in New Delhi. She creates jewelry, artificial fruits, wall hangings and other items from recycled materials like plastic bottles, thin plastics, ashes, papers and glass bottles.
"I am so excited to participate in this prestigious event," Mlambe said. "It's a great opportunity for Malawi to learn new technologies and ways of managing waste and protecting the environment."
Mlambe and the other invitees will travel to India on Jan. 31 and return Feb. 18, according to an invitation letter from Malawi's Department of Arts.
The trip, including airfare and lodging, will be financed by festival organizers.
The annual Surajkund festival celebrates India's cultural heritage and traditions with the help of artists from around the world.
Mlambe said she hopes to learn new techniques for environmental conservation and waste management that she can bring back to Malawi.
The country needs to explore additional ways of handling waste, she said.
"The time is now for Malawi to learn new technologies on issues of environmental conservation and waste management," Mlambe said.