Tumaini Letu’s flagship program “The Tumaini Festival” was commended by the Malawi Government through the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism, for bringing different nations, traditions, culture and races together.

During the official opening of the event on Friday, 4th November 2022, the Director of Arts in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, Humphrey Mpondaminga said that the festival gave a space to the refugees to showcase their talent and interact with the wider world.

Mpondaminga further stated that it is necessary for Malawi as a country to allow Dzaleka residents to showcase their talents regardless of their background.

He said that “the festival also allows Malawians to learn one or two things from what our brothers are capable of, through sharing the same platform”.

In his speech, Tresor Nzengu Mpauni, the founder and director of Tumaini festival emphasised that Tumaini Letu through the festival will continue using entertainment and artistic expression to promote intercultural harmony, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence between refugees and their host community.

The United States Ambassador to Malawi, David Young, also applauded Tumaini Festival for offering a platform where culture and arts can be shared.

Tumaini festival which was established in 2014, is an extraordinary example of a large-scale cultural event within a refugee camp, created and run by refugees in collaboration with the surrounding host community, for the benefit of both. 

The Tumaini Festival is the only festival of its kind in the world that is staged within a refugee camp. It is also a platform that advocates for refugees rights.

Gwamba, Don Tarz, AB Deevado, Atohi Manje, Provoice, Ethel Kamwendo Banda and Nyago were some of the artists who performed at the festival.