Cape Town Carnival to Colour the Imagination | Western Cape Government

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Cape Town Carnival to Colour the Imagination

15 March 2013

Colourful costumes, fabulous floats, live music, energetic dancing and fun like no other are expected to invigorate the City of Cape Town this weekend. The annual Cape Town Carnival kicks off on 16 March 2013 at the Fan Walk, Somerset Road, Green Point. The procession starts at 19:00 near the Victoria Junction Hotel, where it will proceed down the Main Road and end at the Stadium Forecourt, where there will be live music until midnight.

This exhilarating event, captivating the imagination of the Cape Town community since its inception in 2010, aims to unite the community and entertain the tourists with their celebrations through art, music and dance.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is one of the many sponsors of the Carnival and has contributed generously. Both DCAS and the Carnival’s objectives are focused on the celebration of cultural diversity, social inclusivity, heritage and the development of youths and the community. This year the Department will be contributing approximately R50 000 towards the Carnival.

In past events, youths have been selected by the Department for training in the preparation of float building, costume designs and auditions and they are applying these skills in their communities.

Ayanda Tobi from the Cultural Affairs Directorate said, “I like them (Cape Town Carnival) because they reach out to diverse groups and not specifically to the same beneficiaries.” He proudly acknowledges that the Carnival is promoting what DCAS believes in. They bridge the gap between young, old and the unemployed, thus spreading cultural warmth and social inclusion. These are values that the Department fully subscribes to.

Other sponsors of the Carnival include the Department of Arts and Culture, M-Net, DStv, City of Cape Town, Media24 and Business and Arts South Africa.

The theme for this year’s Cape Town Carnival is “African Legends”. The theme explores the colourful Namaqualand Daisies, the Tsitsikamma and the majestic elephants of the Knysna Forest, Nyami Nyami (the Spirit of the Zambezi) and the Mantis and the Moon. Also featuring is the showstopping Queen of Sheba and the tale of Van Hunks on Table Mountain and The Flying Dutchman. These are but a few of the exhilarating forms of entertainment that will be on offer at the Carnival.

There are not many events where the performers of Cape Town’s diverse communities can gather to express themselves in different ways through the arts and their culture. Arts and culture have to be cherished and shared with our fellow citizens. Cultural warmth is about reaching out to others and acknowledging their culture as being equal to your own. This is the mutual vision of DCAS and the organisers of the Cape Town Carnival.

More information on the route, road closures and general information about the Cape Town Carnival is available at:

http://www.capetowncarnival.com/guide.php

Media Enquiries: 

Ayanda Tobi
Directorate: Cultural Affairs
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9684
E-mail: Ayanda.Tobi@westerncape.gov.za
or
Johandri Jacobs
PR and Marketing
Cape Town Carnival
Tel: 021 406 2201
E-mail: johandri@capetowncarnival.com