Maun International Arts Festival
Poetavango’s flagship celebration of the arts in Botswana’s tourism capital. What began in 2011 as a two-day spoken word and poetry event has grown into a multi-day platform for comedy, theatre, poetry, live music, dance, visual arts, literature and cultural expression.
From a poetry weekend to a multi-day festival
MIAF was created to celebrate the arts in their entirety and to give Maun a cultural platform that reflects its creative spirit. Over the years, audience demand helped the festival expand beyond poetry into several artistic disciplines and different spaces around Maun. The festival has hosted participants from Botswana, various African states and other parts of the world, making it a space for cultural exchange and artistic discovery.
Beyond the gateway to the Delta
Maun is widely known as a gateway to the Okavango Delta, but MIAF reminds visitors and partners that the destination is also rich in people, voices, culture and creative expression. The festival helps preserve local cultures by showcasing traditional elements of the northwest region, including dance, song, cuisine and storytelling.
Past festival highlights
A credible cultural platform
Poetavango has worked with a wide range of supporters across government, embassies, tourism, NGOs, media, education and the private sector. This history shows that the festival is a credible cultural platform with room for renewed partnerships and stronger future growth.
- Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development
- Embassy of the United States of America
- Botswana Tourism Organisation
- European Union
- Barclays Bank
- Limkokwing University of Technology
- Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations
- Nhabe Museum
- Gabz FM
- Maun Brand
- WoMen Against Rape
- Maun Lodge
- Brand Botswana
- COSBOTS
- Aquarite Botswana
- Artron Supplies
- BONAFA
- Machaba Safaris
- Kgori Safaris
- Great Plains
- Okavango Artists Association
- Duma FM
- Yarona FM
- Gabz FM
Partner with the festival
Partnering with MIAF means supporting artists, youth, cultural tourism, community engagement and Botswana’s creative identity. Sponsors can support stages, workshops, artist travel, youth access, media production, exhibitions, literary activities and cultural showcases. Sponsorship packages and benefits: to be confirmed by Poetavango.