Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC), formerly French Cultural Centre, is still in a mess since it was ransacked by thieves.
Despite being open to different activities, BCC, which was bought by the government from the French Government in 2011, is in a sorry state, with renovations moving at a snail’s pace.
The centre, which opened its doors in 1973, cost the Malawi Government K300 million.
However, the government is set to spend more in rehabilitation costs, and estimated costs for the project stand at K350 million.
However, the government has been investing the money in chunks, with K50 million allocated recently, a reduction from K75 million which was given during the 2015/2016 financial year.
The K50 million has facilitated the engagement of a contractor, who is rehabilitating the auditorium. A portion of the money will go towards renovation of the library.
Museums of Malawi Chief Curator, Yohane Nyirenda, said that right now works are in progress at the centre.
“Rehabilitation of the auditorium is in progress and should finish soon but there will be a continuation, including putting the library back to its shape,” Nyirenda said.
Meanwhile, the government has allocated some classes, which are yet to be renovated, to arts associations following their request.
Arts associations are facing the challenge of accommodation as the rentals at the Arts House in Blantyre would finish end March.
In the absence of subvention for the arts associations, the rentals at the Arts House were being paid through the Cultural Support Scheme funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, which came to an end in December last year.
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