10 Apr 2017

In its 31st year running, Maitisong is undoubtedly the biggest arts festival in Gaborone.

Having dazzled art lovers for the past week with international and local artistes, the show came to a close on April 8 as Sekopa theatre group brought the curtain down for this year’s festivities.

Theatre, music, dance, slam poetry and comedy to fee-paying audiences in several venues around Gaborone as well as non-stop music shows to thousands of revellers in under-privileged areas free of charge is what Maitisong Festival is all about.

Gao Lemmenyane, director of Maitisong said this year the festival was proud to celebrate three decades of arts promotion, raising the bar in the arts, making careers and connecting Botswana artistes with their international counterparts.

“The arts continue to play a pivotal role in advancing peace and stability while contributing to the socio-political and economic discourse through art works of integrity,” he said.

He said this year’s theme Enrich reflects clarity of purpose for the need to professionalise the arts by pushing the envelope, pushing the bar higher and ensuring that professionals work together and with the audiences and sponsors to elevate their game.

“This was achieved through the exceptional performances presented by local and international artistes to raving reviews. We seek to encourage artistes to earn a decent living out of their talent as is the case in other countries. The arts must enrich them,” said Lemmenyane. ENDS