Once again, the time of year has arrived when the National Arts Festival (NAF) approaches, and we, too, are filled with anticipation, eagerly wishing for the days to pass swiftly so that we may partake in the excitement of South Africa’s largest arts festival.
The NAF for this year will take place from Thursday, 26 June to Friday, 6 July in Makhanda, in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa, renowned for its rich cultural heritage.
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Reclaim Rebel Roots,’ showcasing a vibrant and diverse array of South African arts and cultures under the slogan ‘Vivid. Bold. Unfiltered.’ This festival aims to reconnect with our cultural origins. In 2024, the NAF celebrated its 50th anniversary, and this year, it plans to further explore its roots through a dynamic programme that reflects the current societal restlessness and offers a refreshing cultural experience.
Makhanda, as the festival’s home, has consistently attracted both local and international audiences, and this year is expected to be no exception. A recent press release from the NAF indicates that in 2025, attendees can anticipate a captivating mix of local and international performances that challenge, inspire, and evoke memories.
National Arts Festival’s Artistic Director, Rucera Seethal, said, “The global landscape is entirely unpredictable; trends emerge and collapse, institutions quiver, shocks reverberate, and radical new ideas rumble below a tense surface.”
“The Festival is a fluid container for these conversations,” Seethal explained.
“Unhinged from the daily grind, artists first see and then weave through words, art, body, or expression – that which we are too busy to truly notice. At the Festival, we enter this world of the artist, leaving the everyday for the unexpected,” Seethal concluded.
Note: The National Arts Festival Programme is available on the National Arts Festival website and its social media platforms.
Affirmations Media, in collaboration with our podcast partner, Isgaxa Podcast, will closely monitor the National Arts Festival, providing exclusive interviews, artist profiles, pertinent news, photographs captured by our team, and videography. All of this content will be shared on our social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Additionally, we will utilize our YouTube Channel to present in-depth interviews.
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