The Cape Town Arts Festival, formerly the Cape Town Festival (CTAF), is back in late 2023 and all set to celebrate the dynamic fusion between arts, culture, and community with showstopping talent, taking place on Saturday, December 9, and Sunday, December 10, against the backdrop of the Castle of Good Hope, a historical gem nestled in the heart of the Mother City.
This two-day creative immersion promises an eclectic mix of artistic expressions, community engagement, with a strong focus on wellness.
Festivalgoers can expect an exciting line-up of activities, including live music performances, poetry readings, engaging storytelling, the art of wellness (featuring Zumba, yoga, Tai Chi), live painting, art exhibitions, visual art installations, workshops, sculpting, food markets, and a Cape craft exhibition – all of which is designed to be good for the soul..
Yusuf Ganief (Artivist and Cape Town Arts Festival CEO) comments
“The Cape Town Arts Festival stands as a testament to Community Arts for Community Wellbeing, with a mission to upskill, nurture and spotlight community artists within their own neighbourhoods, and recognize their exceptional contributions by showcasing them on the main festival stage – a meeting ground for emerging and established artists.”
The first of many musical acts set to appear at the event is Dee Koala. The South African hip-hop sensation will perform on the main stage on Sunday, December 10. Other artists include Afro Suns Marimba Band and Imad, with many more to be announced.
World-renowned storyteller, Fatime Dike, will be presenting a captivating and historic narrative about the rich history of the Castle of Good Hope in a sensational narrated parade, adding depth and context to this iconic venue and the event.
In the week leading up to the festival, a visual art exhibition will showcase the works of 17 talented artists including Dr Professor Zanele Muholi, internationally celebrated South African photographer and visual activist. The exhibition comprises ceramics, visual arts, photography, sculptures, and a captivating live art installation.
Additionally, the festival will feature an interactive poetry masterclass by the esteemed Bulelwa Basse. Basse is founder of the Lyrical Base Project, an arts and culture organisation which seeks to elevate the profiles of writers from marginalized communities through community-publishing projects and performance poetry. The masterclass is open to the public but with limited seating so early arrival is encouraged.
The festival’s theme for 2023 aligns with a national initiative of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) entitled “SHiNE” (Social Harmony through National Effort). SHiNE aims to foster social harmony through effort, personal initiative, and positive dialogue, echoing the festival’s commitment to community well-being.
Commissioner Fatima Chohan (Deputy Chairperson of the SAHRC) comments
“Our partnership with the Cape Town Arts Festival is driven by our deep conviction in the festival’s mission to enhance community well-being.”
“This collaboration symbolizes our joint commitment to fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society. By joining forces with the Cape Town Arts Festival to amplify the ‘SHiNE’ message, we embark on a mission to inspire personal initiative, encourage dialogue, and collectively paint a brighter future for all.”
The Cape Town Arts Festival extends beyond the main event with a series of innovative programmes that span three months. These initiatives, such as Artists for Artists, Beyond Busking, and the Phillipi PESP Project, are designed to upskill community artists, align their training with the digital age, create job opportunities, and ensure the sustainable promotion of artists.
The Cape Town Arts Festival is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including the Department of Sports Arts and Culture, Ariva Arts Foundation NPC, the Western Cape Government, the Castle of Good Hope, and the City of Cape Town.
More info about the Cape Town Arts Festival
Following the tragic Planet Hollywood Bombings in 1998 at the V&A Waterfront, the One City Many Cultures (aka CT Festival) emerged as a beacon of hope in 1999. Ryland Fisher, driven by the need to address cultural intolerance and racial violence, led this initiative.
In 2003, Yusuf Ganief became CEO, injecting new energy and perspective until 2007. Ganief, previously the General Manager for the Association of Marketers, catalyzed the organization.
In 2004, Ganief initiated the Cape Town Community Festivals, thriving from 2004 to 2007, providing significant annual employment opportunities, benefiting over 1800 artists. The festival expanded, birthing brands like Cape Town Community Festivals, Cape Town Performing Arts Festivals, Jou Ma Se Comedy, and Cape Town Youth Festival.
In 2021, Ganief rebranded the Cape Town Festival as the Cape Town Arts Festival (CTAF), prioritising sustainable artist development through upskilling, nurturing, and dynamic performance platforms.
On October 29, 2022, the Cape Town Arts Festival marked a major milestone by organizing the Beyond Busking Festival Day at the historic Castle of Good Hope. This event created a platform for 425 artists, volunteers, and suppliers, attracting an enthusiastic audience of over 1100 attendees. The festival showcased diverse artistic expressions, reinforcing its unwavering commitment to the arts, even amidst challenges.
Watch this space for updates in the Events category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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