Govt to establish National Arts Cultural Centre

Govt to establish National Arts Cultural Centre

Lusaka, Jun 30/13 ZANIS—–Luangwa District Commissioner, Eunie Mumba, said government is aware of the challenges faced by artists, adding that government will establish a National Arts Cultural Centre in order to promote art and culture in the country.

Mr Mumba said this when he officiated at the opening of the 2013 Lusaka Province National Schools Arts Association of Zambia (NASAAZ) festivals in Luangwa yesterday.

He said performing arts act as a way of disseminating information on HIV and AIDS, drug abuse and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Mr Mumba challenged artists, directors, producers, writers and performers to ensure that their works carry a deliberate message to influence a positive change in the country.

The DC said performing arts help pupils to develop social skills and to grow emotionally in order to preserve the way of life and imparting necessary change.

Mr Mumba added that festivals stimulate interest in performing arts and improving the standards of amateur acting which develops into professional performance.

He advised the participating schools in Lusaka Province to strengthen their performances as they become a source of employment in the country.

And NASAAZ chairperson, Patrick Chisha, commended government’s move to incorporate arts into the Ministry of Tourism.

Mr Chisha said artists are striving hard to ensure they build a strong provincial team which will compete with other provinces in the country.