National Arts Festival

July 1, 2024

Time to read: 3 minutes

July 1, 2024

Project member Dr. Watkins represented the International Library of African Music (ILAM) at the 2024 National Arts Festival, the country’s largest arts festival held annually in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape. ILAM’s participation in the 2024 NAF included musical performances, community outreach activities, and ILAM’s 70th Birthday Celebration Concert, among other events.

Dr. Copeland also travelled to Makhanda to attend the NAF. Among many standout events, she attended two award-winning theatrical productions by the Indigenous company Nama Khoi Productions (“Swartwater” and “Dwaling/ Ihare mâ”) and musical performances at the community arts hub The Black Power Station.

Learn more about the International Library of African Music here: https://www.ru.ac.za/ilam/

Learn more about Nama Khoi Productions here: https://www.facebook.com/profile/100089004943295/search/?q=naf

Learn more about The Black Power Station here: https://theblackpowerstation.art/

Image of the foyer of The Monument, the Festival's main venue. — The foyer of the National Arts Festival’s main event venue, the Monument Building.

Image of Dr. Lee Watkins speaking on a stage with orange, blue, and purple lighting. — Dr. Lee Watkins speaks at ILAM’s 70th Birthday Celebration Concert on June 21, 2024.

Image of two flyers, advertising Indigenous led theatrical productions. — Flyers advertise two theatrical productions by the Indigenous-led Nama Khoi Production company.

Xolie Madinda preparing to speak at an event venue. There are bookshelves in the background. — The founder of The Black Power Station, Xolile (“X”) Madinda, prepares to speak before a hip hop performance at the venue on June 23, 2024.

Image of Dr. Ian Copeland approaching a donkey in one of Makhanda's public parks. — Dr. Ian Copeland encounters a donkey roaming one of Makhanda’s public parks.