Woordfees Festival in Stellenbosch

Head to the City of Oaks for a literary and art overload when this annual nine-day festival flutters into town

The sleepy student town of Stellenbosch comes alive with a dash of creativity and plenty of activity when the annual Woordfees strolls into town with poetry, stories, live music performances, art exhibitions, and more from Friday, 4 to Sunday, 13 March 2016.

Now in its seventeenth year, Woordfees, which means “word festival”, is one of the most anticipated affairs in the Western Cape. Running over a period of nine days the programme is packed with interesting activities set to entertain the public and educate the masses!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2016 WOORDFEES FESTIVAL IN STELLENBOSCH

WORDS, WORDS AND MORE WORDS: South Africa is home to some of the best literary minds, and some of these great thinkers and writers will be participating in talks and discussion at the affair’s Writer’s Festival.  Sessions include:

• Kerneels Breytenbach, the award-winning author of Ester, Blou Maandag, Piekniek by Hangklip, Die ding tussen man en vrou and Morsdood van die honger, will discuss his fascinating life and work.
• Johan Bakkes, Gerrit Rautenbach and Nanette van Rooyen chat about the art of travel writing and critique members of the crowd’s writing efforts.
• Jan Braai, president of the Democratic republic of braai, entertains the masses with his top tips and tongs.

MUSIC GALORE: This year the festival has no shortage of good tunes, whether you enjoy grooving to soulful sounds or rocking out to intense riffs in a moshpit – the organisers have got you covered.  Local legend Johnny Clegg will be performing, and there’ll also be the Carnival music event featuring the likes of Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels and other home-grown acts. The Pops concert will boast multiple top-notch tune masters performing timeless pop hits, while the Coetzenburg concerts will host artists such as Karen Zoid, Emo Adams, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Zolani Mahola, Kahn Morbee, Francois van Coke, Matthew Mole, The Plastics, Fokofpolisiekar, PHFat, GoodLuck and more.  For additional information regarding musical events, check out the website.

SANLAM MUSIEKFEES: Aside from the usual rock, opera, blues, gospel, kwêla, and other home-grown musical magical, this year’s event will also see the screening of short documentaries showcasing the stories of the musicians behind the hits.  The short films include:

• Hunter Kennedy ‘Klein Tambotieboom’ at De Vette Mossel
• Valiant Swart ‘Die Mystic Boer’ at The US Museum
• Churchil Naudé ‘Boy van die Suburbs’ at Kruiskerk
• Al Bairre ‘We Move On’ at The Ticket Office.

KIDS ACTIVITIES: Parents, don’t fear – your little one won’t be bored. The Kinderfees runs concurrently with the Woordfees. There are tons of activities (age specific) for children of all ages to partake in.  Not only that, there will be several theatre performances tailored for kids like Die reëngodin, which tells the tale of a goddess who causes the rain to fall by dancing; Wit Rosie Rooi Rosie, which relays the adventures of two sisters on the hunt for true love; Florence and Watson and the Sugarbush Mouse, which follows the hilarious antidotes of two honey badgers and a mouse; and  Kinkel en Konkel, which is the story of two green-fingered sunshine spreaders.

​FILM AND ART: There is no shortage of thought-provoking film on hand when this festival rolls into town. Guests can look forward to seeing a series of shorts and documentaries when the kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival opens on Friday, 7 March onwards. Attendees can look forward to films like:

• Sweisbril: The story of an ordinary guy with alcoholic tendencies who loses his family and then attempts to bond with his son through the viewing of an eclipse.
• Beurtkrag: Watch Jasper and Fransie’s lives get turned upside down when a power failure forces them to interact on a more personal, intimate level.
• Foto: Follow the story of Michaela, a budding photographer, as she seeks to find the identity of an anonymous photographer, whose subjects frequently died after being photographed by him.  

Do note: there are more activities and events happening throughout the festival, and more information can be found online at www.sun.ac.za/english/woordfees.

TICKETS AND BOOKING FOR THE 2016 WOORDFEES FESTIVAL IN STELLENBOSCH

Tickets for the festival are available online via Computicket.com and from various Computicket outlets. Entry differs according to each event and more information can be found at www.sun.ac.za/english/woordfees.

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Have a squiz at our guide to March events to find out about more hot happenings taking place during the month.
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