P Jordan to lead artists to Germany, 1 Jul

12 June 2006

Groundbreaking Initiative Puts South African Culture on Global Map

South Africa’s flourishing cultural industries are preparing for a
groundbreaking initiative that will put this sector of the country’s economy on
the global map.

As part of a commitment to establish closer cultural ties between Germany
and South Africa, organisers of the Sommerköln Festival in Cologne are
providing a platform for a weeklong celebration of South African culture.
Working with the national Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), the Artistic
Director Jerry Mofokeng and his team have developed a programme that turns the
spotlight on the astonishing diversity of cultural industries and activities
that have thrived in the 12 years since the inception of the country’s first
democratic government.

Commenting on the upcoming slate of cultural activities, Minister of Arts
and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan said that this was a unique opportunity to place
this vibrant and dynamic part of the South African economy on the global
platform.

“We are delighted to be taking part in the Sommerköln Festival, particularly
at a time when the eyes of the world are on Germany and so many different
people will be visiting Cologne.

“It gives us the unique opportunity to display craft that is not only
beautiful but also provides a living for people in the further reaches of our
country. We are also bringing poets, musicians, story-tellers dancers and
actors to the festival, all of whom will bring our culture alive in the most
special way. And, of course, we will be showcasing some incredible musical
talents from contemporary chart-toppers to those keeping our musical heritage
alive.

“The whole programme makes for a great insight into just what our cultural
industries are all about and how far we have travelled since the end of
apartheid. We are also hoping that by showcasing in Germany in 2006, we will
stimulate the interest of the visitors we will be welcoming in 2010 to explore
South African culture in all its diversity.”

Dr Jordan, who will be a special guest of the city of Cologne for the
duration of the South African visit, will be hosting several of the key
activities taking place during the Sommerköln Festival. In addition to Cologne,
South African culture will also be showcased in Berlin, when Johnny Clegg and
Jabu Khanyile, amongst others, will perform with several top global artists at
the World Day Fan Club concert on 2 July. South Africa’s Sommerköln Festival
programme begins on 1 July, when the “Beautiful Things” exhibition opens at the
Gallery House Seippel. Running until 31 July, the exhibition will see South
African ceramics; traditional Zulu pottery, print makers and others display
their craft.

On 2 July, an evening of prose, poetry and the spoken word will be held at
the Kunstsalon and will feature young guns, including Maakomele Manaka and Lebo
Mashile, as well as master storyteller Gcina Mhlope-Becker and legendary poet,
Keorapetse Kgositsile.

Music is the focus of the cultural activity on 3 July. The Tanzbrunnen
open-air stage will showcase the always engaging, deeply rooted music of Johnny
“le Zoulou Blanc” Clegg and his long-time creative collaborator, Sipho
Mcunu.

On 4 to 5 July, at the Tanzbrunnen Theatre the art of dance is placed centre
stage as imaginative choreographer, Tyrone Watkins, brings together dancers
drawn from Pretoria based Tshwane Dance Theatre, Footsteps and Batswana Dancers
in a display that includes contemporary, urban and uniquely South African dance
forms (pantsula and gumboot). This dazzling display will be complemented by
performances from some of South Africa’s best artists including award-winning,
classically-trained vocalist, Sibongile Khumalo, as well as sensational
afro-fusion sensation, Freshly-ground, who will both add their singular sound
to what promises to be an un-missable evening’s entertainment.

South African artists are also on the bill of a Jazz festival, taking place
on 6 to 7 July at the Stadsgarten. Tlokwe Sehume, the innovative jazz musician,
will perform alongside the Kholwa Brothers, who are following in the
Isicathimaya footsteps of the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Photos, interviews and artists biogs available on request

Interviews will be facilitated throughout the programme from Berlin and
Cologne and media accreditation available for any media who will be in Germany
during the programme

Enquiries:
Vanessa Perumal
Tel: (011) 787 7459/781 9596
Cell: 083 268 1446
E-mail: Vanessa@jtcomms.co.za

Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
12 June 2006