Honing in on the great success of the 2023 Plett Arts Festival, September will officially be known as the month of the arts for the Garden Route town.
Festival director Cindy Wilson-Trollip and the Plett Tourism team said they were already looking forward to the 2024 rendition.
Wilson-Trollip said the festival had brought the town together and created an amazing turnout of events while showing the world what the town was made of.
During the 10-day run, the festival encompassed more than 60 different events, with local businesses greatly benefiting from the influx of visitors.
“The African Waves Arts Festival made a significant contribution to the programme this year, hosting South African legends, who participate in the international music arena,” she said.
Equally, percussionist John Hassan and his band Hassan’adas, and Lulu Plaatjies with Ancient Voices, were firm fan favourites with their cultural crossover performances.
Added to the line-up was chef Karen Dudley, painter William Mwale, poet Was Lemuel, musician-turned-artist Arno Carstens and land artist Cheryl Traub-Adler.
The accomplished artists connected with local talent at the festival.
Plett hosted a variety of first-time events in addition to familiar favourites like the Plett Food & Film event and the Plett ARTS Twilight Meander.
While many do not know what the Plett Festival has in store for 2024, Plett Tourism chief executive Patty Butterworth said she hoped to expand the festival to include more national acts, and to grow participation with the Land Art Exhibitions and the Plett Food & Film event.
Butterworth believes a major contributor to the festival’s success was the positive impact it had on the local economy.
“The festival also includes a focus for communities to preserve and celebrate their culture and heritage.
“It is vital that all stakeholders and industries support the arts.”
She said through their various initiatives they were able to engage with communities and provide forums for important issues to be voiced.
“This year, fine art, land art sculptors and poetry stood out as highlights.”
Wilson-Trollip thanked the Bitou municipality and Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for the Western Cape, for their financial and media support.
“Funding is a challenge. Their commitment to the arts and artists is to be commended,” she said.
“This is a sector that is seriously underfunded and we salute the artists who, against all odds, continue to create and connect.”
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