Six years ago Afrikaans arts and culture was not the vibrant industry it is today. Die soetste taal only had one arts festival — the Klein Karoo Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn.
The problem for culture vultures in the north was the distance they had to travel to Oudsthoorn. They could not simply escape for a day or two to enjoy a show or wander through an exhibition.
Gauteng housewives would cram into friends’ Mercs to attend the Cape festival, while their husbands stayed home and complained about looking after the dog and the children for a whole week. By the time the cramped women got to Beaufort West a consensus was reached: they needed an arts festival closer to home.
So about five years ago the sleepy little town of Potchefstroom decided to help the housewives out and the Aardklop arts festival was born.
This year the popular festival celebrates its sixth anniversary and organisers are expecting it to be the biggest ever. From Tuesday September 23 to Saturday September 27 art lovers of the north will descend on Potchefstroom yet again.
The festival debuted in 1998 and has been running for five consecutive years. More than 25 000 people visited Potchefstroom for the first festival. In 2000 the number of visitors grew to 60 000. But last year exceeded all expectations when 130 000 people attended the festival.
Sponsorship is essential to ensure the festival’s growth and this year even the Lotto has thrown its support behind Aardklop.
Guesthouses have sprung up everywhere to accommodate the masses, and patrons can even rent out digs from enterprising students from the local university, though quality or cleanliness is not always guaranteed.
The festival has grown so popular that accommodation is booked almost a year in advance. Aardklop fans who arrive in town on a spontaneous inkling can forget about sleeping in a comfortable bed — only tents will be on offer.
Patrons love the festival for its high quality shows, many of which are premiers; its familiar kermis atmosphere and of course for the opportunity to rub shoulders with famous artists at hang-outs like Die Akker.
The main festival area known mysteriously as Die Bult, with its thousands of stalls and free shows turns into a madhouse on Saturdays when everyone and his cousin arrives in town. It is still fairly easy to buy tickets for shows during the week but on Saturdays forget it.
‘We did a survey last year,” says Ronel Nel, media spokesperson for the festival, ‘95% of those attending the festival indicated that they would do so again. We expect them to return again this year with even more friends and family.”
Potchefstroom’s economy has benefited immensely from the festival. The masses of visitors inject substantial capital into local businesses and the City Council of Potchefstroom claims that since Aardklop was launched more people have chosen the town as a retirement destination.
When the festival started out it was inherently Afrikaans, but it now includes performers from all walks of life. Next week’s line-up will include 13 international productions from countries such as Belgium, the United States and Israel.
Ikageng, the local township, also plays an active role in the Aardklop programme this year. Several productions will be staged in the township so that its economy can also benefit.
Aardklop 2003 has plenty to keep patrons entertained with 90 productions, close to 400 shows and more than 400 artists.
One of the highlights is Hans Pienaar’s Ching Chong Ché, which profiles Ché Guevara, leader of the Cuban revolution, and his activities in Africa. Desnieteenstaande, a dark, feminist comedy, by the acclaimed playwright Jeanne Goosen is sure to entertain those with a strange sense of humour.
Rock enthusiasts have Castle Loud OppiAarde to look forward to. This year’s line-up features the brilliant BOO!, arguably South Africa’s best live acts. Arno Carstens’s new creation, New Porn, is also sure to draw the crowds. Other artists include Brasse van die Kaap, Valiant Swart and the Brixton Moord & Roof Orkes with Karla du Plessis.