The success of the National Arts Festival is yet another demonstration of how we as South Africans can reach into the diversity of a past division and conflict, and transform it into a celebration of our richness and our unity within that diversity.” It was with these words that Nelson Mandela officially opened the 25th Grahamstown festival around lunchtime today.
Despite the fierce, dusty wind which carried the celebratory balloons off in the wrong direction, hundreds of waving, cheering fans turned out to see Madiba, the patron of the festival, cut through the symbolic ribbons to mark the start of this year’s specially extended event.
The opening ceremony took place outside Grahamstown’s cathedral, where Mandela’s public address was preceded by a choir performance, two praise singers, an introduction by festival officials and a short speech by the city’s mayor, Nontuthuzelo Faku.
Grahamstown Foundation chief executive Dr Richard Chernis said the festival was ‘honoured by Mr Mandela’s attendance … His presence is an eloquent testimony to the standing of culture and arts in the new South Africa and to the high regard our festival enjoys in the arts community worldwide.”
This year’s 13-day event reveals an increasing desire to make its presence felt on the international festival circuit. Hundreds of local performers and many artists from Africa, Europe and the United States will be taking to the boards over the next fortnight. Ongoing development will also see events spread to centres outside Grahamstown, making the festival one of the largest of its kind in the world.