HERMANUS FYNARTS FESTIVAL 2023

09 June – 18 June hermanusfynarts.co.za

Lastyear the Hermanus FynArts Festival celebrated Year 10. This year we launch the first festival of the second decade of this fusion of arts festival and winter school. For the first time in three years Hermanus will resonate with the sound of music, laughter, people talking and, of course, applause.

This year’s programme of 150 events showcases more than 300 exhibiting artists, musicians, presenters of talks, workshops, demonstrations and tutored wine tastings.

Exhibitions

Art exhibitions are central to the festival and include the festival artist - this year Paula Louw –and three of the FynArts large group exhibitions of Sculpture on the Cliffs, ceramics and small sculptures. There will also be a glass exhibition as well as a limited exhibition of smaller Kevin Atkinson artworks at the The Marine Hotel. In addition, twelve galleries, six studios and two wine farms will present exhibitions.

Performances

From the Opening Concert with Richard Cock conducting the orchestra and two talented young musicians on 9 June at 18:30, to the Closing Concert with the UCT Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the baton of Brandon Philips there will be concerts to suit everyone’s musical taste - from the big voices of the Mzansi Tenors and the big music of orchestras, to intimate recitals and house concerts that include classical music, opera, jazz, rock, blues and contemporary favourites. On Youth Day more than 400 primary school children from seven schools will take part in the second Celebration of Choir at the Zwelihle Primary School Hall. A note for theatre lovers: the first two performances of the theatre production Hansard were sold out. A third performance has been scheduled for Wednesday 14 June at 15:00.

Strauss & Co Talks and Presentations

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman will present the opening address on Saturday 19 June at 9:30. The following morning at 11:00, Pieter Dirk Uys will receive the Legacy Award from Christopher Hope who will interview PDU about his life’s work.

Two art consultants with Strauss & Co will each offer a presentation: Women Artists by Jean Le Clus-Theron, Hermanus through the eyes of the artists by Kayleen Wrigley. Other art-related topics include Kevin Atkinson’s Remarkable Art and Life by Melvyn Minnaar in conjunction with the Kevin and Patricia Atkinson Trust, and Mind through Materials by Angus Taylor. Victor van Aswegen will screen the film Sculpting this Earth with Strijdom van der Merwe. Victor and Strijdom will introduce the film and lead a discussion after the screening.

And to round off the various art genres, acclaimed botanical artist, Vicki Thomas will talk to seasoned journalist Colleen Naude about her personal experiences of taking part in The Grootbos Florilegium project. The complete series includes topics as wide ranging from Venice the Changemaker of the Western World, and Venice Unplugged by social historian, Felicity Jervis, to Return of the Moon: Versions from the /Xam, by Christopher Hope about an extraordinary set of poems by Stephen Watson, whose celebrated recasting of these original San texts paints the long gone speakers back to life. Art writer, Sean O’Toole will draw from research from his well-received photobook exhibition to discuss Ernest Cole;s much admired photobook, House of Bondage.

The full programme

As always the full programme includes a series of stimulating workshops, creative culinary demonstrations, wine tastings and dinners. The latter includes the regular evening of music and a meal. Shades of Africa, the multiaward winning trio of pianist and songwriter, Christof van der Berg (pianist), sopranos, Hlengiwe Mkhwanasi and Zine Gwija who will entertain with a colourful kaleidoscope of languages bringing new life to the treasure chest of traditional South African songs.

View the full festival programme and to sign up for newsletters go to hermanusfynarts.co.za. Tickets for are available through the website or webtickets.co.za