The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile and a large government-sponsored contingent of South African artists will depart for Senegal to participate at the World Festival of Black Arts, the FESMAN on 9 December 2010.
The first World Festival of Black Arts was initiated in 1966 by the late Senegalese President, Leopold Sedah Sengor, who was also a renowned poet. The first edition was organised under the theme “The significance of black art in the life of the people and for the people”.
Nigeria hosted the second festival in 1977 which inspired the establishment of the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) in Nigeria and was attended by artists from fifty-nine countries from Africa and its Diaspora.
Senegal, under the leadership of President Maître Abdoulaye Wade has undertaken to host the third edition of this prestigious event on 10 to 31 December 2010 under the theme “African Renaissance”. It is envisaged that 53 countries from Africa and the Diaspora will participate in the festival, also known as the FESMAN 2010. The festival will also celebrate the intellectual, artistic and literary identity and the creativity of artists from Africa and the Diaspora.
“The festival provides an important platform for our arts, culture and heritage sector to engage with their continental counterparts and to contribute to the unification of the African continent. South Africa is honoured to be invited to be part of this prestigious event and believe that our arts practitioners will benefit from this experience and hopefully find opportunities for future collaborations, said Mashatile.
It is through initiatives such as this festival that the main objective of the African Renaissance can be achieved. Different sectors of the economy both here in South Africa and the rest of the continent will benefit from the festival.
Minister Mashatile will meet a few Ministers of Culture from the continent to discuss possibilities of collaborations among our people. We have agreed on the draft Cultural Agreement with Senegal. The Department of Arts and Culture will arrange bilateral meetings with key Ministers of Culture that will be attending the festival.
The festival will include activities and genres such as dance, music, fashion, poetry, literature, crafts, exhibitions, film and cinema and seminars. Judith Sephuma and Mahotella Queens will perform at the opening ceremony on 10 December 2010.
The highlight of the festival is the focus on South Africa Day: 23 December 2010. South African artists will take centre stage on this day. The festival runs from 10 December to 31 December 2010.
Among the South African artists who will participate at the festival are:
- Literature: Lungile Zaphi
- Photography: Victor Dlamini
- Poetry: Napo Masheane, Afura Khan, Thabiso Mohar, Natalia Molebatsi, Kgafela wa Magogodi and Masonja Msiza.
- Music: Judith Sephuma, Katlehong Pantsulas, Tu-Nokwe; Sello Galane, Sipho “Hotsix” Mabuse, Malaika, Lira,Thandiswa Mazwai, Soul Brothers and HHP, Mahotella Queens, Hugh Masekela, Vusi Mahlasela and Tumi and the Volume.
- Films: Dance of the Graves, An Old Wives Tale, Max and Mona
The Zulu Love Letter and Timbuktu - Fashion designers: Hangwani Nengovhela and Themba Mngomezulu
A craft exhibition featuring a number of South African artists will also be mounted for the duration of the festival. The Department of Arts and Culture’s institutions such as the National Film, Video and Sound Archives, Ditsong Museums and the National Heritage Council will also exhibit crafts, indigenous music instruments and sculptures at the festival.
Enquiries:
Mack Lewele
Tel: 012 441 3083
Cell: 082 450 5076
