Govt Commends Indo Zambia Bank for K250,000 Contribution to 2024 National Arts Festival
The Zambian government has expressed its appreciation to Indo Zambia Bank for its generous contribution of K250,000 towards the 2024 National Arts Festival (NAF), set to take place from August 28th to 31st at Piaza East Park Mall in Lusaka.
The festival, themed “Embracing Creativity Zambia@60,” aims to celebrate Zambia’s 60th anniversary of independence by showcasing the nation’s rich artistic heritage.
Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony, Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Hon. Elvis Nkandu, MP, highlighted the importance of the arts festival in line with the Eighth National Development Plan.
He emphasized that the festival plays a crucial role in diversifying Zambia’s economy by promoting the arts sector, which can contribute to economic growth through increased local and international tourism.
“The National Arts Festival is not just a celebration of creativity, but also an extraordinary event that has the potential to attract tourists, support local businesses, and generate revenue for the country,” said Hon. Nkandu.
He noted that the festival provides artists with a platform to express themselves, share experiences, and network with international counterparts.
This year’s NAF has attracted participation from artists in countries such as Japan, Hungary, Russia, and Zimbabwe. The festival will feature a wide range of artistic expressions, including traditional arts, music, theatre, film, dance, visual arts, crafts, fashion, and digital arts.
The Minister pointed out that these activities not only preserve Zambia’s cultural heritage but also serve as a national treasure for future generations.
Hon. Nkandu also stressed the importance of private sector involvement in hosting such events, acknowledging the financial and technical challenges they present.
He called on more stakeholders to partner with the Ministry to ensure the success of the festival, which he described as essential for capacity building and fostering wealth creation within the arts community.
In conclusion, the Minister urged the public to attend the festival, with tickets priced at K30 per day and K100 for all four days, encouraging Zambians to support and celebrate the nation’s vibrant arts scene.
