Talking to Eyewitness News festival director Pilani Bubu said the festival was an event for the whole family to encourage families to step out of the home in a safe environment to be a part of a community, especially in a post-pandemic world.
The Folklore Festival is curated by the multi-ward-winning storyteller and creative artist Pilani Bubu who is the founder and festival director. Picture: Supplied.
JOHANNESBURG – The Folklore Festival is back for another year of a vibrant celebration of African identity, culture, customs, and heritage on Saturday 16 September 2023 at the National School of the Arts in Braam Park.
The Folklore Festival is curated by the multi-ward-winning storyteller and creative artist, Pilani Bubu, who is the founder and festival director.
“In the heart of our collective existence lies a vibrant tapestry of human expression known as folklore. It weaves together the soulful essence of a people, an intricate web of traditional wisdom, customs, and captivating tales cherished by generations past,” said Bubu.
The family-friendly event aimed at community building through collaboration, presents an inspiring lineup focused on sharing and storytelling both on the main stage and the kid’s stage.
Talking to Eyewitness News, Bubu said the festival was an event for the whole family to encourage families to step out of the home in a safe environment, to be a part of a community, especially in a post-pandemic world.
“We want parents to feel excited to socialise in a space that they enjoy while their kids are treated to enriching edutainment. The whole premise of Folklore is founded on the idea of inter-generational dialogue. How we share our culture and customs. In the act of preserving heritage, the first mission is to make sure it travels through time.”
As part of their inter-generational dialogue, Folklore has put together experimental collaborations with the National School of The Arts and Windybrow Theatre Choir presenting the Folklore – ‘Dlala PIANO’, a set featuring Abraham Moughrabi (Keys), Bokani Dyer (Keys & Synths), Pilani Bubu (Vocals), Siyabonga Mthembu (Vocals), and Simphiwe Tshabalala (Drums).
“The Folklore community is a platform that seeks to document and preserve our indigenous knowledge systems for future generations, by providing an opportunity to expose or showcase artists across various art disciplines. Beyond the teachings and insights embedded in folktales and folkloric music, there is an opportunity to instill a sense of pride in our children when they see themselves represented in modern-day stories. Identity is the first driver of confidence.”
‘Folklore For Kids’ is said to have a play area with childminders that has something for every kid, with soft play, Edu-play and workshops including a kids’ book fair in collaboration with Ethnikids books.
An online bookstore dedicated to supporting and publishing children’s books which feature characters that are inclusive and diverse in various South African languages more accessible. Bubu said it’s important to work with children now to expose them to vernacular literature, which is an act to drive more interest, demand and exposure of our own literature.
“I love working with children because I believe the future and the character of the child is truly shaped in their formative years. We lean harder into the things that our parents show us are important. The education system doesn’t often hold space for marginalised arts communities. So, to express the essence of our mission as a festival, we decided that to build this community and its agenda toward intergenerational dialogue, housing it at a school, collaborating with the school, encouraging the school to work on and showcase their reflections of folklore.”
The National School of The Arts, choir and band, will be performing a repertoire of music reflecting iconic music across north, south, east and West Africa titled, African Reflections.
“Our engagement with the school is both a pay it forward and social agenda. We do a volunteer program for the kids and upskilling them in production, stage management, event production, performance, and master classes on various music elements with our curated artists. It’s a beautiful exchange. Our commitment also involves donating 15% of our profit on sales to the school.”
READ MORE:
Pilani Bubu unites African musicians for inaugural Folklore Festival
Folklore Festival: more than a music festival, a cultural experience
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