The project will include a creative residency with a series of workshops hosted by local arts organisations.
The National Arts Festival (NAF) and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), in collaboration with the French Embassies to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, are celebrating their 50th anniversary at this year's festival by presenting “Third Space”, a series of co-produced creative dance art works.Number anniversary.
“This project is an effort to renew audience interest in South Africa's contemporary dance scene and stimulate the creativity of dance-makers,” said Sophie Boulet, Cultural Officer and Deputy Director at IFAS.
“While investing in high artistic value, it fosters cultural exchange between African countries and ultimately supports local artists in rural and peri-urban areas.”
The project will include a creative residency with a series of workshops hosted by local arts organisations, guest choreographers and set designers.
“Third spaces are spaces where something new can emerge, spaces for meeting across social groups and functions, for being and creating together,” explained NAF artistic director Lucera Sheetal.
It also features dancers from Mozambique, Uganda and Tanzania from three communities: Duncan Village (Gompo Community Arts Centre) in the Eastern Cape, George (KUBU Collective) in the Western Cape and Emakhazeni (Angle Theatre Collaborative) in Mpumalanga.
The three new dance works that will emerge from these residencies will first be showcased in local communities and then as part of a curated programme at the ongoing National Arts Festival, with plans to promote them in other African countries and to pitch them to international festivals.
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NAF Standard Bank Young Artists
For over 30 years, the Standard Bank Young Artists Awards has remained one of South Africa’s most important and respected platforms for arts development.
Zoe Modiga, winner of the Young Artist Award in the Music category, enthralled audiences with her performance supported by the Makunda Kwantu Choir during her first weekend at NAF.
“Makuhanda’s journey with our beloved Makuhanda Kwantu Choir began at Masikuru this year and we are so grateful to have been able to share this monumental occasion. NomTandazo: Amafbo They gave our work heart, bones and breath. Umdali, Isegajini, Indulla, Imitandazo Yetu And my grandmother's favorite, Kanye Nawe“…and a heartfelt thank you to each member and to conductors Kepa and Loyiso,” Modiga said in a statement.
The other winners of the 2023 Standard Bank Young Artists (SBYA) Awards will premiere new works during the main programme of the 50th NAF, which runs from 20-30 June 2024.
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