A group of Swedish artists are set to tour the country from November 20, reports Riaan Wolmarans
The Swedes are coming, and no, this is not another illegal alien story. From November 20 to 28, the Sweden South Africa Partnership will take place throughout South Africa. This initiative, endorsed by the governments of the two countries, is much more than a simple trade of entertainers – it’s aimed at boosting co-operative ventures, trade initiatives and cultural interaction between Sweden and South Africa.
More than 37 events will take place during the eight-day period in Johannesburg, Soweto, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Durban, Cape Town and Port Shepstone. These include a trade exhibition at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, fashion shows, a food festival, addresses to local city governing structures and even a soccer match between Bafana Bafana and Sweden’s national team. Business seminars will also be held, and activities leading up to the twinning of Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Port Shepstone with Gteborg, Falun, Brlange and Oskarshamn in Sweden.
Entertainment is by no means left behind, with a group of Swedish musicians set to tour the country. The visiting posse includes performers such as Dr Alban and jazz artists Opposite Corner, The Real Group and the Elise Einarsdotter Ensemble. We’ll also see B&B: The Musical Experience (an Abba tribute show created by Benny and Bjorn of Abba which will be performed by the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra and Swedish artists – maybe we should send Bles Bridges over there, just to get even).
They will be in various cities, accompanied by some of their equally talented local colleagues such as Boo!, Famous Curtain Trick, Gloria Bosman, McCoy Mrubata and Jimmy Dludlu. Dr Alban is also releasing a commemorative album containing a new version of his hit single Hello Africa, now recorded as Hello South Africa. A reciprocal action, where South African artists visit Sweden, is planned for early next year.
The Market Theatre in Johannesburg is claiming its piece of the action by working with the Stockholms Stadsteater and Kulturhuset Stockholm to put on performances of The Threat, a play written by leading Swedish dramatist Henning Mankell and starring local actor Kenneth Mncedisi Nkosi; and Section E, a music theatre piece about political prisoners on Robben Island, which is the result of a collaboration between local and Swedish theatre companies. Estockfela is another musical production which features seven actors from Swedish theatre group Ung utan Pung and seven South African actors from the group Uphonde Lwe Africa. These performances take place daily at 7pm and 8.30pm from November 22 to 27.
Models from both countries will be strolling along the catwalk in Midrand and Cape Town, dressed in designs of students from the Beckman School of Design in Stockholm and the Lisof School of Design in Johannesburg.
There will also be a public speaking competition for young people aged 14 to 17, presented during the partnership week by Ericsson, the Read Education Trust and the Swedish Institute in Cape Town, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg.
For a full calendar of events, dates, times and venues, see www.swedensouthafrica.com or for more information, contact Maria Selin on Tel: (011) 447-7093