Chat to bigwigs and have a Think!

Everyone can have their say in debates and discussions with interesting public figures and artists during this year’s National Arts Festival.

In a programme previously known as Winter School, Think!Fest is a series of talks, panel discussions and debates featuring on the Festival’s Main programme – and it’s for everyone.

“I think when people come to a festival they approach it often with a mindset of openness, and that’s a great moment to take advantage of,” said Think!Fest co-ordinator Anthea Garman.

“It’s also a good space alongside productions to talk about the arts, their value and importance and the state they’re in.”

The Think!Fest events all focus on different topics, but organisers have structured the discussions and debates into overarching themes.

This year the Think!Fest team has tried to speak to the interests of a wide variety of people by exploring themes including education, censorship, euthanasia and 100 years of the Land Act in South Africa.

Garman said a recent partnership with City Press newspaper and some much appreciated support from the Dutch embassy has enabled Think!Fest to add continuity and international speakers to its line-up.

“City Press began an association with the Festival last year and is building on that by arranging a series of post-performance discussions this year."

“We seldom have the budget to bring international speakers to Think!Fest and [the Dutch]sponsorship makes this possible,” Garman said.

Audiences can expect talks from speakers like Ferial Haffajee (editor-in-chief of City Press) who will delve into the events surrounding the Marikana tragedy and what they mean for both journalists and South Africa; debates on education in South Africa today; and discussions around the poor, poverty survival and unemployment.

The lecture series runs from 27 June to 6 July at the Rhodes University Eden Grove complex.

For more information find a copy of the Festival programme or check online at http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za.