Jacaranda open cultural centre: Mayor Chalamanda says ‘relief’ to Blantyre city’s residents, hails French embassy
Mayor of Blantyre City Noel Chalamanda has said the opening of the Jacaranda Cultural Centre at the historical Mandala Building in Blantyre is a big “relief” to the city’s residents, particularly the youth.
Chalamanda made the remarks at the opening of the Jacaranda Cultural Centre on Monday by Jacaranda Foundation in conjunction with the French Embassy.
“This is a big relief to the city’s residents,” said Chalamanda.
The Mayor of Blantyre expressed gratitude to the French Embassy for promoting arts, culture and French linguistic activities in Malawi.
The opening of Jacaranda Cultural Centre comes five years after the French government closed and sold the French Cultural Centre (FCC) to the Malawi government, which has since been turned into Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC).
In his remarks, the France Honorary Consul in Malawi Luc Deschamps, who is also the executive director of Jacaranda Foundation, said the centre seeks to uplift the country’s arts and cultural development.
“We want to take Malawi’s cultural and arts development to the next level by creating a space where different activities and programmes could be encouraged and promoted. The emphasis of the centre is to nurture youths’ potential by giving them a platform to showcase their artistic talents,” he said.
Deschamps said Malawians should use the facilities at the centre “to the maximum” and help change the face of creative industry in the country.
The Jacaranda Cultural Centre is also known as Maison de la France (House of France) which seeks to be a learning centre for French activities.
Other activities include a communication and information centre, concerts, exhibitions, movie screenings and conferences.
The inside walls of the Jacaranda Cultural Centre have paintings done by local artists such as Ellias Singano and Jacaranda students.
The ground floor has several rooms that are decorated with exhibition of different artworks, while the upper floor serves as a hall for stage performances, including other activities.
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Chalamanda you are doing a good job for the city of Blantyre, this is why for a long time Malawians have been crying for rejuvenation of councils, but I believe you can do better if you ask well wishers like BEAM or the corporate world to donate garbage bins and place them in the city’s main markets of Limbe and Blantyre. Driving along the streets to these markets, it is an eyesore to see garbage littered around the market-places.