National Arts Festival takes Football route

World On Press
Ian Jindela

The 36th annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival kicks off in Football style. Minster of Arts and Culture Ms. Lulu Xingwana officially declared the Grahamstown National Arts festival open, at the prestigious ceremony held in Grahamstown Settlers Monument on June 20. The minister also handed over the hand crafted soccer ball with colorful Ndebele beads to the festiva in support of the rural development projects. Minister Xingwana, Eastern Cape Premier Nomvula Kiviet and the festival Chairman blow their Vuvuzelas in support of Bafana Bafana during the opening ceremony.

Take a U turn to the Eastern Cape and experience live entertainment- whilst zooming out from the soccer fever. This year’s G’town fest runs until July 04 and promises to be the great and with the heavy line up of craft, music, comedy drama, theatre, jazz and exhibitions to keep festival goers warm this winter. National Arts Festival takes Football route. Football Football on its world premiere a multi-country co-production which uses dance, theatre, video, music and digital technology to celebrate the art of football, (pictured above). The Football Diaries- a one man show that gives an insight into an athlete’s experience of space, time and emotion. In celebrating soccer in Africa, the street theatre will host the Giant Match.

Still celebrating the World Cup, Sibikwa Dance and Music Company have a lineup of colorful 48 cast members of dance, music and drama productions spiced with the sounds of Mozambique. Sibikwa offers proudly South African experience in music, dance and drama. Visitors can also experience traditional food tasting. Shows opens from 20 to 23 June at the Recreation centre the home of Sibikwa at Grahamstown. The Johannesburg east based Sibikwa last night took the G'town Festival by storm with their contemporary dance production “ The Eye of the Storm” from the cast the cast young devoted Thapelo Kotlolo from east of Johannesburg who is at the G’town festival for the first time described his performance as exciting extra ordinary and a festival for all. Grahamstown National Arts festival has a lot to offer in colorful African melting pot of arts. Visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za for more information.