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Thursday 27th June 2019.
National Arts Festival 2019,
1820 Settlers Monument, Fort Selwyn Drive,
Makana Municipality, Makhanda (Grahamstown),
Eastern Cape,
South Africa.
NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2019!
The official flag raising ceremony at the start of the National Arts Festival 2019.
A series of images taken of various artistic, dance and theatre performance pieces and exhibited installations done by a host of artists, dancers and performers amongst others during the National Arts Festival 2019 in Makhanda (Grahamstown), Makana Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa on Thursday 27th June 2019.
PICTURE: MARK WESSELS. 27/06/2019.
+27 (0)61 547 2729.
mark@sevenbang.com
www.markwesselsphoto.com
There is a beer garden at the new Village Green, now at Victoria Girls’ High School in Beaufort Street, Grahamstown / Photo: Ryan Bruton
Children get their hands dirty at the new Standard Bank Village Green in Beaufort Street / Photo: Ryan Bruton
Feeling it at the National Arts Festival / Photo: Jan Potgieter
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Grahamstown’s High Street / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Out and about at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
Spotted at the new Standard Bank Village Green Fair / Photo: Michelle Hodgkinson
There’s lots to see and do at the National Arts Festival, including activities, street performers, buskers and craft at the Standard Bank Village Green Fair, now located at Victoria Girls’ High School in Beaufort Street, Grahamstown.
Phumulo Masualle, the Premier of the Eastern Cape speaks at the official opening ceremony at the National Arts Festival on 27 June 2018 at the Guy Butler Theatre in Grahamstown / Photo: Jan Potgieter
Mayor of the Saartjie Baartman Municipality Cr Khunjuzwa Eunice Kekana at the official opening of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown / Photo: Jan Potgieter
The official opening of the 44th National Arts Festival, held at the Guy Butler Theatre in the Monument, Grahamstown, 27 June 2018 / Photo: Jan Potgieter
The National Arts Festival has opened amid a joyful Eastern Cape celebration at the Monument on Wednesday evening that also noted the centenary years of home-born legends Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu.
Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa reminded Festival-goers that the National Arts Festival remained a preserve of free expression: “It is where, as South Africans, we can be comfortable exploring who we are and being bold about what we stand for. It is where our artists speak truth to power and where we give meaning to our constitutional principles of free speech and free expression.”
Amid the celebrations, Eastern Cape Premier Phumalo Masualle extended his hospitality. “Welcome once again to our magnificent Province, the Home of Legends! It is my fervent belief that the Eastern Cape is home to South Africa’s warmest and most engaging people, and I join with each and every resident of our Province in welcoming you to this jewel in our artistic crown: the 44th National Arts Festival.”
The Eastern Cape’s MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Bulelwa Tunyiswa, commented that it was a significant year for the Province and the Festival. “This year’s National Arts Festival is one in which an emphasis is being placed on giving a voice to the voiceless in our society, something that is timeous and vital in our emerging democracy. At the same time, we recall and commemorate the legacy and values of two giants from our Province – Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, both of whom would have commemorated their 100th birthdays this year.”
National Arts Festival Festival Deputy Chair Elinor Sisulu gave thanks to the Office of the Eastern Cape Premier and Department of Sports Recreation Arts and Culture for “their recognition of the work that we do and for their support of the Festival”.
