Malawi on Tuesday held a cultural interaction with Egypt during an event held at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) in Lilongwe.
The interaction marked the beginning of scheduled activities for the second Egyptian cultural week in the country.
Egyptian Ambassador, Maher El-Adaway, Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology, Vincent Ghambi, Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiumia, Vice Chancellor of Luanar George Kanyama-Phiri and several academicians were in attendance.
Professor Kanyama-Phiri said culture and food security issues go hand in hand, hence the interaction was very vital for Malawi and the University at large.
“As Luanar we feel very happy because we are expecting a lot to follow up from this interaction as we have created relationship with other universities in Egypt,” he said.
He said culture and issues of food security go hand in hand.
“In all our cultural heritages be it Muhlako,Chewa or Ngoni, there is a mention of food issues,” he said.
In his remarks El-Adaway said he was very happy as the interaction has further broadened diplomatic ties between Egypt and Malawi.
“I want Malawians to learn about Egyptian culture as through culture we can cooperate in other fields as well. Culture is a good starting point. We are proud Africans, we can cooperate together,” he said.
Concurring with the Egyptian ambassador, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Vincent Ghambi stressed that arts and culture has the capacity to help foster the international connections that are vital for the two nations.
“The arts can reach places that traditional diplomacy cannot. The emotional links created by culture can be more powerful than any short term political or economic alliance,” he said.
The interaction was graced by a performance by Aswan Cultural Troupe from Egypt that impressed and forced Chiumia and the Egyptian ambassador to take to the dance floor.
Meanwhile,s as part of the same drive in celebrating the Egyptian Cultural Week, an exhibition was expected to start yesterday at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
The exhibition involves Visual Arts Association of Malawi (Vaam), University of Malawi – Chancellor College and two Egyptian artists
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