Writers in the region have been auditioning for nominations to attend Wordfest, part of the Grahamstown Arts National Arts Festival. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Amathole district held writers’ auditions at Mdantsane Art Centre on Friday 24 May.
Writers in the region have been auditioning for nominations to attend Wordfest, part of the Grahamstown Arts National Arts Festival. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Amathole district held writers’ auditions at Mdantsane Art Centre on Friday 24 May.
The Department of Sports Recreation Arts and Culture (DeSRAC) annually sends writers to the Wordfest at Grahamstown to mingle with the well-known writers at the festival.
“We have to choose 15 candidates to go to the Festival, were they will be attending Wordfest – a festival for short story writers, novelists and poets. “The DeSRAC for Amathole and Buffalo City took eleven candidates last year and we have budgeted to take fifteen this year,” said District Principal Cultural Officer at DeSRAC, Thando Tebe.
According to traditional poet, Afrika Mlondleni, there’s much to look forward to at Wordfest, especially meeting people from different regions who are advanced in the art of words. “It is great to have an opportunity to showcase my talent on a big and prominent platform, with well-known writers who have experience and advanced knowledge. I believe that this year it will be at another level and (I hope) it will continue growing so that younger writers can continue to learn,” he said.
Said Wandile Bafo, “It feels great to be part of an initiative that is internationally recognised and it is an opportunity to meet and network with other artists and also explore the general artistic activities. Even though this year will be my fourth at the festival, I still feel excitement.”
The aim of Wordfest is to foster a culture of reading and writing in South Africa and to promote innovation and excellence in the word-arts.
This year, the National Arts Festival runs from 3 July to 13 July, and Wordfest from 5 July to 12 July.to showcase my talent on a big and prominent platform, with well-known writers who have experience and advanced knowledge. I believe that this year it will be at another level and (I hope) it will continue growing so that younger writers can continue to learn,” he said.
Said Wandile Bafo, “It feels great to be part of an initiative that is internationally recognised and it is an opportunity to meet and network with other artists and also explore the general artistic activities. Even though this year will be my fourth at the festival, I still feel excitement.”
The aim of Wordfest is to foster a culture of reading and writing in South Africa and to promote innovation and excellence in the word-arts.
This year, the National Arts Festival runs from 3 July to 13 July, and Wordfest from 5 July to 12 July.
