Julius Eichbaum

EICHBAUM, Julius. (1933-1998) Flamboyant businessman, publisher, cultural activist and opera-lover. Primarily known for his publication of the journal Scenaria (1977-1998) and his sharp and critical editorials and articles on arts and culture in South Africa. Eichbaum’s real passion was opera, and he did much to support, review and promote this art form in the country. (And was always a noticeable presence at opening nights across the country and at Bayreuth and elsewhere.) For this reason too Eichbaum and the journal were at the forefront of all efforts to save the so-called “universal arts” (a term he himself coined to refer to the traditional European forms drama, classical music, ballet and opera) in the face of the pressures towards Africanization and the rejection of Eurocentrism in the 1990s. He was inter alia instrumental in founding the Organisation ***** to this end, and later was involved in setting up BASA (business and arts for South Africa).