Nirens Festival Blog

The sun finally emerged on Saturday, the penultimate day of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, writes <b>Niren Tolsi</b>.

<b>Niren Tolsi</b> is not sad that this year’s National Arts Festival is drawing to a close.

Away from the tree-lined avenues of Rhodes University and the middle-class town centre, unemployment in the townships stands at between 70% and 80%.

<i>Niren Tolsi</i> speaks to National Arts Festival committee chairman Jay Pather about this year’s festival’s shortcomings and successes.

At the National Arts festival, the blur of deadlines, interviews, shows and discussions leaves little time for considerate reflection.

The frontline of journalism is a dangerous trench, where putting one’s health and sobriety on the line is an occupational hazard.

At this year’s National Arts Festival, a young director tackles a history that spans generations.