Poetry gets on the train

Paulendo Adventures and Vilipanga Poetry Movement have partnered in what can be described as the first of its kind event dubbed Poetry in the Train initiative. The on-the-rail event will take place on Saturday and will see patrons being treated to live poetry performances, acoustic music, interactive games and an audience engagement during a train ride from Limbe Station in Blantyre to Lirangwe. In an interview yesterday, Vilipanga Poetry Movement creative director William Shumba said as creative, they are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage audiences; hence, the proposal from Paulendo Adventures to get poetry on a moving train excited them.

Said Shumba: “The concept immediately resonated with us, as it aligns with our mission to take poetry beyond traditional stages and into lived experiences. Partnering with a travel adventure brand allows us to merge art with movement, emotion with destination and creativity with exploration.” He said the initiative has been designed as an artistic journey rather than a conventional show, where participants will not be mere spectators, but part of the unfolding story. Shumba has described the initiative as a cultural milestone which will bring poetry within a travel experience as part of redefining how and where poetry can exist.

“We aim to connect with travel enthusiasts while simultaneously creating a vibrant space for lovers of spoken word and literature, proving that poetry can thrive in unconventional environments,” he said. The adventure will feature performances from poets such as Refilwe, Yankho Seunda, Shumba, Vanessa, Briellah, Brema, Fundo Music and Yangairo Yangairo. It will happen under the theme ‘Love, look at what you made me do’.

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Shumba said the theme is in line with the spirit of Valentine’s Day as it will take place on the day when the celebration falls. “Beyond romantic affection, the event explores love as a human experience, love for art, for travel, for connection and for shared moments. It serves as a reminder that love exists in everyday spaces, though it is often drowned out by the noise of routine and distraction,” he said.

On his part, Paulendo Adventures team leader Yangairo Yangairo said the ultimate idea for the travel company is to have a train festival which will be staged on a ride from Blantyre to Liwonde in Machinga. He said: “We are trying to test the waters using such activities to see how the people will respond. We have involved the poetry sector now and next time we want to engage artists from across the arts sector.

“We want to give people a unique experience which is affordable at the same time and family friendly. The train carriers are big and the can carry up to 80 people. If we can have 10 carriers curated with different artistic facets it will be better.”

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