SA National Arts Festival to go fully digital

However, the festival, which will be held in Makhanda, South Africa, from 25 June to 5 July, is going completely digital and is touted as the first event in the country to host a virtual edition.

“So here’s the thing,” National Arts Festival Fringe CEO Monica Newton said. “The National Arts Festival 2020 won’t be cancelled, but it will be different. We at the National Arts Festival have been worrying, thinking, worrying, arguing and thinking some more about what we do about the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe in relation to our very special annual festival.

“This our reality: Based on the ban on major events we can’t allow more than 100 people to congregate anywhere. Due to the travel ban and recommendations with regard to domestic travel and the use of public transport, our artists and visitors can’t get to Makhanda and we can’t get to them. We don’t want to contribute to the spread of the virus and fully understand that this is a time for isolation. That’s not what we do. We create experiences and celebrate the arts.”

Newton said the organisers had come up with a plan after several deliberations and decided to go virtual for 11 days.

“Going virtual will mean that the festival can continue to support artists and the arts in 2020, by presenting work within a digital space. This way we can share some magic and hope with those who may still be confined to their homes. An opportunity to connect when we are being asked to distance ourselves from one another.”

Newton said the festival was intended to promote artists and sustain their craft.

“Artists depend on festivals like ours to generate an income through selling tickets, getting their work seen and talked about locally and internationally, and networking with their peers. Rather than cancel, we aim to create a new opportunity for artists and audiences alike to celebrate the arts, and to create an accessible platform for artists to share their work.

“Millions of people across South Africa and the world will be cut off from each other in completely unprecedented ways: unable to go to church, school or work, or socialise outside of their immediate family. This is absolutely the responsible thing to do to contain the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, but as social beings, it is going to chip away a little bit of our souls every day the bans are in force.”

Newton said the organisers were engaging with sponsors and donors ahead of the festival. “Our commitment to the arts remains steadfast and we invite you to take this journey with us.”

She added: “We can’t ask our supporters to make their plans, book their accommodation and transport, without the certainty that it will happen. And we can’t ask our service providers to stand at the ready if it may all come to nothing.”

Newton said 2020 would be a challenging year for Makhanda considering the contribution of the festival on the economy of the Eastern Cape province.