This Content Is Only For Subscribers
- Orange Foundation injects over P180 000
The annual Maun International Arts Festival (MIAF) got a shot in the arm for this year’s 10th anniversary with an injection of P181 760 by Orange Foundation.
MIAF, started by Poetavango – an arts NGO in 2011 is an all-inclusive annual arts festival Poetavango started the festival after the realisation that the growth of the arts in general was unsatisfactory.
Known for its drive to elevate, develop and promote all spoken word arts including poetry, storytelling, performance and other literary arts, Poetavango will this year celebrate the 10th edition,which is expected to be bigger and better.
Scheduled for November 20th-25th, the festival will incorporate a variety of events, bringing a 6-day long feature of both local and international artists.
Addressing the media recently, Poetavango chairperson Legodile Seganabeng indicated that their biggest challenge has always been funding especially following the effects on the industry by Covid -19 pandemic.
He revealed that last year, they had insufficient funds which consequently affected their plans for the festivals as they could not host other art activities like the comedy night which left the festival’s favorites unhappy.
For this year’s festival, the chairperson has guaranteed attendees that they will strife to reach the pre Covid levels.
Head of Marketing Orange Botswana, Maun branch Gakenabetsho Kgori said the donation is about investing in the future of Arts. “We believe in the power of creativity to transform lives and communities,” he said.
He noted that MIAF is not just a festival but a celebration of creativity, a vibrant culture and the endurance of artistic expression. He added that the festival also brings both economic and social benefits to the village of Maun and surrounding areas.
Kgori also said that a festival of this magnitude will also bring social benefits that will surely bring a sense of community, pride, unity while providing a platform for culture exchange.
He added that Orange foundation stands as a pillar of support, championing the course of social inclusion through the arts. He further encouraged the public to remember the power of arts to transcend boundaries, unite communities and inspire change. “May this festival be a testament for the endless possibilities that emerge when creativity meets commitment,” Kgori said.
The festival will on the 20th of November start with a book exhibition at Nhabe Museum from 8am till evening, followed by a visual arts exhibition the following day. Then on Wednesday, an Open-Street Jam session will be held by the Nandos open space from 9am till evening which will be a celebration of the Ngamiland culture. On Thursday there will be a Comedy night at the Okavango Brewery from 7pm where an entrance fee of P100 will be required. On Friday, there will be a poetry competition dubbed ‘Maun International Festival War of Words’ in the morning, and then in the evening Cresta Maun will host a poetry night show, a black tie event that will require an entrance fee of P350. On Saturday, the last day of the festival there will be a tourism excursion held in appreciation of the cultural diversity in Maun.
