By Chris Loka:
Minister of tourism, culture and wildlife Dr. Micheal Usi has hailed Umodzi Park for organizing a free interdenominational Christmas Carol concert saying having choirs from different churches sharing stage is a sign of piece among Christians in the country.
The concert held at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) on Saturday pooled a variety of patronage and defied the odds as the youth, middle aged and the elderly together with members from various churches formed part of the audience.
People were treated to melodious, soul lifting and inspiring songs by different church choirs as the programme for the night included group perfomances by Kaning’a CCAP Praise Team, Lilongwe Community Choir, Area 47 SDA Youth Choir, Music Crossroads Model Choir and ST. Patrick’s Catholic Choir.
Usi said the event helped to foster better relations between the denominations and hoped that it would become an ongoing event for each festive season.
“I am very happy to be part of this celebration because it has brought together people from different churches to celebrate the season with Joy, Love and Peace. We really need such events every year in order to strengthen relationships between different churches,” he said
Usi also appealed to the general public to embrace the giving culture this season saying the gesture is a symbol of love.
Umodzi Park Chief Executive Officer, Steve Lwanda said apart from thanks giving, they organized the event in order to usher in the festive mood through church choirs in the city with their repertoire of evergreen and traditional Christmas hymns that evoke joy of the season.
“We decided to organize this free event as one way of giving back to the community in Lilongwe and also it is an opportunity for us to say thank you for the support as Christmas is the time we give gifts to each other.
“As we business, we appreciate you and we wish all Christians and everybody a very wonderful festive season. We should always remember that it is a season of love and giving, let us give to the less privileged, let us love each other and that is why Jesus was born,” he said
Director of Music Crossroads Model Choir Gladson Msendera said they were happy to be part of the event saying they really enjoyed sharing a stage with other amazing choirs.
Msendera said music is a great tool that can bring people together in sorrow or Joy and further thanked Umodzi Park for providing a platform for people to come together to connect through music.
