Art is my Journey, Our Journey
By SOULSEEDS Art Project Correspondent,
November 4, 2015
Maun International Arts Festival V 2015, October 25-November 1.
After a hectic week of creative
artistry rendered at the Maun International
Arts Festival V 2015 from October 25-November 1, in different localities of the
Nhabe region in the cosmopolitan
creative tourism town Maun, to
showcase the artistic diversity and socio-cultural networking, I really
appreciate the cultural exchanges, experiences and artistic networks emanated
from MIAF.
The festival organizing team
managed to unearth over 50 creative minds and persons from all over the world;
South Africa, Reunion Island, Uganda, Nigeria/Canada, USA, Zimbabwe, Namibia
and Botswana. The event featured aspiring and renowned voices of Mother nature’s
mouthpiece to breathe life into Maun through Spoken word, Contemporary dance and Music,
Theatre, Fashion, Literary arts exhibitions ; Hector Kunene, Ngwao Putswa,
Mophato Dance theatre, The Contrabandists, Sereetsi and the Natives, Stiga
Sola, Phoenix Baaitse, Leshie Love Song, Mambo Ntema, Juby Peacock, Mista Poke,
Bella, Chief Kunta, Prince Marenga,
Rashida Namulondo, Vera, Barbra (Breeze), Maya Roze, JahGee, MmaKgosi, ?oem theAnsa, Dasha Kelly, DeePee, Poetess
Phopho, Abra-conscience, One Finite Monkey, October, Chris Woba Kele, Juliet Kego, Charles, and a dozen more.
The week-long MIAF’s activities included Official
opening ceremony, inter-School Poetry (art) competitions, Comedy night,
Folklore/Traditional Music, Slam Poetry, Hip-Hop battles, Open Mic session,
Poetry night, US Corner at the Maun Public library (partnership between
Poetavango, US Embassy and Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture), Cultural tours to Sexaxa (cultural) village and motivational visit to BOFWA in Maun.
And Christophe
Durand Woba Kélé from Reunion
Island is a creatively humbled man that infused traditional instrument
(nGoni) with almost every genre. I call him 'Madala'.
Much thanks to Poetavango
Spoken Word Poetry collective and its partners for a wonderful MiAF. Poetavango
Chris 'Woba Kele'
Lakai, Mmasechaba & Mista Tee
Chris (Madala), Mista Tee, Mambo Ntema and Chief Kunta
Matsosangwao Arts Troupe 10-year Anniversary
I am also proud of #Team50
Matsosangwao Arts Troupe for a successful 10-year Anniversary this past weekend
(October 30-31, 2015) in Kasane. I am so humbled by the effect and shape of the
Chobe Alliance for Arts Organization (CAAO); a social enterprise model that seeks to leverage on artistic sustainable livelihood and socio-economic development and welfare of the creative arts and culture industry.
I have to now look forward for my
journey to Central Europe this coming weekend to attend Markt der Völker event from November 11, 2015. Market of the Peoples
Market of the People
Dialog
between cultures is the main focus of the Market of the Peoples. About 70
craftspeople, traders and specialty-dealers acquaint visitors with craft
products from all over the world. On one hand, the market is a platform for many different traditional crafts
threatened or disappearing as a result of modernisation. The market is also a
forum for new trends in the field of these crafts. Some examples include the
creation of recycled products using tin cans or telephone wire. Countries from
which exhibitors have come in the past include Portugal, Russia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Indonesia, China, Japan, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, South
Africa, Canada, Argentina and Guatemala.
The world
of handmade crafts is changing constantly. The Museum für Völkerkunde follows
this process and provides the opportunity for visitors to experience these
exciting changes directly. In the Market of the Peoples, manufacturing
techniques are put on display in live performances, through film and other
media. We value fair trade highly; we find it important that local economies,
small family businesses and other projects are purposefully supported. Through
this market, the museum also aims to directly support different craftspeople.
The
exhibitors are selected according to the quality of their goods and especially
by their interest in the dialog with the museum’s visitors. The exhibitors are
almost always experts of their cultural regions and the representatives of aid
organisations are always interested in explaining the work of their groups.
The
Market of the Peoples is also known for its diverse cultural programme.
Musicians, singers and folklore groups give performances; for children there is
make-up, crafts, painting and a story-telling workshop.
The
Market is a festival for the whole family. Since 2008, each Market of the Peoples has had its own focus. This focus
determines the selection of exhibitors and the organisation of the cultural
programme.
In 2008, the topic was India; in 2009, it was the Indians of North America; in 2010 the topic was Latin America. And 2011 the topic was the Orient.
In 2008, the topic was India; in 2009, it was the Indians of North America; in 2010 the topic was Latin America. And 2011 the topic was the Orient.
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