Grahamstown Festival

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The largest arts festival in Africa and one of the largest in the world, the National Arts Festival (NAF), Grahamstown, (or as it is more more colloqially referred to - the Grahamstown Festival), is officially named according to its sponsor at the particular time, i.e. the Five Roses National Arts Festival – between 19**- 19** - and the Standard Bank National Arts Festival – from 19** -)

History

The Festival began in 1974 as a project of the 1820 Settlers Foundation (later called the Grahamstown Foundation) [*?]and has since grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa and in the world. In 2002, the Festival was renamed the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown and is now an independent Section 21 company. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for collaboration with international artists; and build new audiences.

Grahamstown has been associated with carnivals and festivals for more than 180 years as British immigrants established the tradition of celebrating landmark anniversaries on a grand scale. When a movement gained ground last century to erect a memorial to these pioneers it was agreed that it should be a “living” monument presenting festivals, conferences and other gatherings. An Inaugural Festival was held in 1974 when the 1820 Settlers National Monument was officially opened, with the exception of 1975, a festival has been organised every year since then. The Festival was a project of the Grahamstown Foundation for 28 years and in 2002 became a Section 21 Company with an independent board of directors. It however still operates out of the 1820 Settlers National Monument where it rents office space and the performance facilities. From the beginning the programme was not confined to one venue, other facilities in the city were also used. A trend that developed as the Festival grew and today approximately 50 venues are scattered throughout the Grahamstown area.

Projects

Main Festival

The Fringe

Venues

The 1820 Settlers Monument

Also referred to as the 1820 Settlers National Monument, this is a memorial with a purpose The Monument was built to commemorate the contributions made by English-speaking Settlers to South Africa. It is unlike any other monument because, since its opening on 13 July 1974, this superbly equipped building has been a centre of creative thought and activity.

The Monument has become a meeting place for all South Africans. It was built to commemorate a worthy heritage and to encourage us to look forward with hope.

Amid reminders of the past, the building provides facilities for use by all South Africans, in particular activities which encourage the ideals of freedom of speech, social interaction and the use of English as a contact language.

This concept of a living Monument led to the establishment of highly successful educational and cultural projects. The Monument is now used by well over 200 000 people a year from all South African groups.

The 1820 Settlers Monument Theatre or Guy Butler Theatre

Rebuilt after the fire it was renamed the Guy Butler Theatre

This is one of the largest theatres in South Africa, with excellent acoustics, computerised lighting equipment, comfortable seating for 939, air conditioning and an orchestra pit to accommodate an orchestra of 50. Seating is flexible, thus there is Theatre Seating: 939 Dinners/Restaurant style seating: 400, Cocktails parties, etc : 1000, Orchestra pit for orchestra of 50