East Africa Comes to Serbia: Malawi Confirms Participation in Expo 2027 Belgrade
The Republic of Malawi, an East African country, has officially confirmed its participation in Expo 2027 Belgrade and is among the 121 nations that will, from May 15 to August 15, 2027, present their vision of the central theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.”
Although Serbia and Malawi formally established diplomatic relations in 1998, their cooperation dates to the era of the Non-Aligned Movement. Expo 2027 Belgrade will be a unique opportunity to develop the relations further and introduce Europe to the rich culture of a country that gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.
“We are pleased to receive the news that the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, a country of kind and hospitable people, will be arriving in Serbia in less than two years. We look forward to showcasing the richness of Malawi’s music, dance, and games to the world at Expo 2027 in Belgrade. We thank Malawi for its trust and warmly invite other African nations to join this global play for humanity,” said Danilo Jerinić, CEO of EXPO 2027 doo Belgrade.
In addition to its beautiful nickname, Malawi is well known for Lake Malawi, which stretches along much of the country’s eastern border. Lake Malawi is the third-largest lake in Africa and the ninth largest in the world. It is home to the greatest variety of freshwater fish species on Earth and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Malawi is home to over 10 different ethnic groups, a testament to the cultural richness and diversity of the country.
Some of Malawi’s most popular traditional games include the board game Bawo, Fulaye (a team-based game in which players dodge a ball), Nthonga/Kabeza (a game where children develop skills in hitting moving targets), and Dumbbells/Mbalika (a stick game). Each ethnic group has its vibrant traditional dances. Among the most notable are Ingoma, originally performed as a war dance among the Ngoni of Northern, Central, and Southern Malawi; Chakumbali and Gule Wamkulu, an ancestral dance among the Chewa of Central Malawi; Beni, a traditional dance among the Yawo of Eastern Malawi, and Tchopa, originally a ceremonial dance among the Lomwe of Southern Malawi.
Malawi made its debut at the International Exhibitions at the Specialised Expo in Lisbon in 1998 and became a Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) member in 2011.
Expo 2027 Belgrade will be the first International Exhibition in the Western Balkans and is expected to attract more than four million visitors from Serbia and across the globe over its 93-day duration.