Following a two-year hiatus, Oudtshoorn is gearing up to welcome festivalgoers to the 26th Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) from Tuesday 29 March to Sunday 3 April.
The popular arts festival was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-’21. However, various digital offerings were presented during this period.
“We are excited and ready to welcome and entertain festivalgoers and artists from far and wide,” said Crispin Sonn, chairperson of the KKNK board. “As is the case with all gatherings and events, strict Covid-19 regulations will be in place to ensure the safety of festivalgoers, artists and staff, and to create a safe space for all of us to enjoy the festivities together.
“It is not easy to host a festival, where people will be in close contact with each other, while still adhering to safety measures, without complying to certain key measures. This includes implementing a vaccination mandate or policy, which is both in accordance with the current national movement and supported by our sponsors. Our festival goers love the arts. We therefore do not doubt they will understand the importance of this requirement – which allows us to have a festival in the first place.”
The prospect of welcoming festivalgoers, sponsors, artists, partners, and other visitors to Oudtshoorn again is an honour, added KKNK artistic director Hugo Theart. “We look forward to once again celebrate arts in the heart of the Klein Karoo,” he said. “We’re excited to approach this year’s festival from a different angle, with most of the popular events on the menu, but packaged in new ways to create experiences that are safe to enjoy within the relevant Covid-19 regulations.”
The festival programme will be launched by the end of this month, with limited tickets going on sale thereafter. Theart urged art lovers to book early by joining the Friends of the KKNK club by sending an email to Daleen Witbooi on info@kunste.org.za..
All measures, terms and procedures to be followed before and during the festival will be made available at www.kknk.co.za. For more information, follow the KKNK on social media, contact the festival office on 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp message to 065 285 2337.
