Vavasati International Festival
The Vavasati International Festival is a women's festival presented annually by the South African State Theatre.
The word "Vavasati" means "women" in XiTsonga and the festival aims to celebrate stories by and for women and explores all issues by women from all walks of life. It has been put on during August every year since 2013, except for 2020 and 2021, when the COVID 19 lockdown restrictions prevented the festival from being staged.
The organisers annually invite female writers, directors, choreographers and producers to submit proposals to be considered for a festival that aims to celebrate stories by and for women and explores all issues by women from all walks of life. The basic rule is that applicants must be female, or 90% of the production team must be female.
The following genres are included: Musical Theatre, Drama, Dance, Music, Poetry and Visual Arts.
In addition to the financial support, the South African State Theatre will provides all selected candidates with artistic and technical support.
The 2013 festival featured only one international artist, but it rapidly expanded with artists from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, the US, Italy and elsewhere appearing by 2017.
Sources
https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/pretoria-news/20130730/282260958084084
https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/womensmonth-giving-women-a-voice-on-stage-10828326
https://www.newslink.co.za/2022/04/01/vavasati-festival-2022-call-for-proposals/
