Pabwalo Opens in Lilongwe: A New Space for Arts and Culture in Malawi

On 10 April 2026, a new multi-purpose space opened at the National Library Service headquarters in Lilongwe. Named Pabwalo, “the Knowledge Square for Citizens” in Chichewa, it brings together learning, arts, and cultural activities in one place.

The launch event reflected this mix. There were performances by school groups, live storytelling, and music from the Music Crossroads Malawi folksong band. Visitors moved through the space, saw how it is set up, and saw how it can be used.

Pabwalo sits within the National Library headquarters and can host around 90 people. It includes a sound system, a large screen, and accessible facilities. The space hosts workshops, screenings, performances, and discussions.

The project builds on a partnership between the National Library Service of Malawi, the Malawi National Commission for UNESCO, Music Crossroads Malawi, and Rei Foundation Limited. Since 2012, this collaboration has focused on documenting Malawi’s folktales and folksongs, resulting in a large archive of recordings and the creation of the Malawi Folktales and Folksongs Database.

Pabwalo extends this work by creating a place where the public experience these materials, and the practices around them, more directly.

Several speakers at the launch highlighted the importance of making culture accessible, particularly for younger people. As Humphrey Mpondaminga, Director of Arts, noted, Pabwalo “provides an important platform where the younger generation can actively participate in arts and cultural events.”

The space also reflects a broader shift in how people use libraries. As National Librarian Dr. Apatsa Selemani observed, “modern libraries have evolved into spaces where people can learn, create, share, and collaborate.” Pabwalo extends this role, providing a dedicated space for cultural and community activity within the library.

This project continues Rei Foundation’s long-term collaboration with these partners to expand access to cultural knowledge. This has included documenting folktales and folksongs across Malawi, developing the Malawi Folktales and Folksongs Database, and other projects that bring these materials to wider audiences. Pabwalo adds a physical space where people take part in these traditions more directly through participation, performance, and shared experience, bringing people together across communities and generations.

Pabwalo will host storytelling sessions, music performances, exhibitions, and workshops, and will become a regular meeting point for artists, students, and the wider community. It introduces a new resource in Lilongwe, bringing existing cultural work into a space where people take part in it.

Details of upcoming activities at Pabwalo will be shared soon.