12/02/2011
Andrew Finn, Fulbright scholar (right) with Peter Mawanga's aMaravi Movement
Commemorating World AIDS Day with “Mau a Malawi” concert
The United States Embassy commemorated World AIDS Day on Wednesday, November 30 with a moving performance of “Mau a Malawi: Stories of AIDS” by Fulbright scholar Andrew Finn Magill, renowned Malawian musician Peter Mawanga and the aMaravi Movement at Crossroads Hotel Auditorium in Lilongwe.
The musical group presented a one-hour set of the spoken word, visuals and a fusion of traditional African and American sounds with an acoustic guitar, mangolongondo (marimba), violin and Irish traditional instruments.
U.S. Ambassador Jeanine Jackson and Deputy Minister of Health Honorable Ralph Pacharo Jooma, government officials, civil society representatives, and Malawian youth were among the 150 in attendance.
The commemoration was held under the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) theme: "Leading with Science, Uniting for Action."
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Jackson said she was encouraged since arriving in Malawi to see first-hand the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Commission, civil society, and donors “unite for action” in combating disease in Malawi. “I include in this group Malawi’s media, who disseminate accurate, timely information on health issues. A free press fosters open, honest discussions about difficult topics such as HIV/AIDS. We applaud the media’s candid reporting on the epidemic, its consequences, and how Malawians are fighting it. A free press saves lives,” said Ambassador Jackson.
She hailed the American/Malawian music collaboration between Magill and Mawanga as one that used real stories to infuse a message of hope into the AIDS discourse. Ambassador Jackson added that the U.S. government supported Magill’s prestigious Fulbright-mtvU music fellowship in Malawi because: “we realize that in addition to employing science to tremendous effect in creating an AIDS-free generation, culture has an important role to play. I think you would all agree with me that music and storytelling can create positive change.”