Grahamstown National Arts Festival 2010
Sunday, 20 June 2010

Every year thousands of people converge on the small university town of Grahamstown for the South Africa's  biggest annual celebrations of the arts.

This year will be no different. Planning is well underway to make the Grahamstown National Arts Festival from 20 June to 4 July 2010 yet another major success. Situated about 130 km from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, people come from all corners of the globe to participate in and to enjoy the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.

The festival was officially inaugurated in 1974 when the 1820 Settlers National Monument was officially opened though numerous small carnivals and festivals took place regularly in the town for about 160 years prior to this. The Arts Festival has been held annually ever since 1976 and has grown from a one venue even to include approximately 50 venues throughout the town.

By the mid 70's the programmed included drama, dance, opera, music, visual art, films, lectures and tours of the city. Today just about anything goes. From the vibrant and artistic flea-markets of the Village Green to the more dynamic performances which take place at various locations in the city, accommodation in the town is often fully booked for as much as six months prior to the event.

The event is multiracial and multilingual. There is also numerous craft workshops and a children's festival. Simply put, the Grahamstown National Arts Festival comprises of an average of 9 days jam-packed with performances and displays of every kind of art imaginable shown at 50 venues from the early morning to way past midnight.

It is one of the best ways to explore the amazing cultural tapestry of the country and often features shows by performing artists from other countries. Programs can obtained from the official Arts Festival Website and tickets for many of the shows can be booked from Computicket.

Source: Official Festival Website