The Department of Arts and Culture in collaboration with the High Commission of India invites members of the media to the official opening of the SA/India Festival that will take place on Friday, 25 July 2014 at State Theatre, Pretoria. Some of the performances at the opening include collaboration between South African and Indian dance groups.

The year 2014 marks 20 years celebration of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa, the 100 years since the return of the great Mahatma Gandhi, renowned icon of Indian nationalism and independence from South Africa to India on 18 July 1914.  The Festival also coincides with the celebration of life and values of our liberation struggle icon, former President Nelson Mandela.

Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Ms. Rejoice Mabudafhasi will speak at the opening of a dance edition of the Festival on Monday, 28 July 2014 at Library Gardens in Polokwane, Limpopo Province. A local Limpopo dance group is expected to share the stage with the Indian group as part of the celebrations.

The Limpopo leg will entail performances from the Indian group Nrityarupa, a mosaic of Indian dance, which encapsulates for a new audience the experience of Indian dance as it has evolved in various parts of the country. In so doing, it offers a glimpse of the great mosaic of cultures that constitutes the Indian nation, and demonstrates in a creative, kinetic, form their dynamics in relation to each other.

Deepening our cultural interactions and relations, a local group will perform a drama called a good story to tell, alongside the Indian performances. The Department of Arts and Culture is proud to host the Festival as it demonstrates our commitment to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The official opening will take place as follows:

Date                : 25 July 2014

Time               : 19h00

Venue             : State Theatre, Drama Theatre in Pretoria

RSVP              : Madimetjam@dac.gov.za @ 012 441 3737/072 842 6594

The Limpopo event will take place as follows:

Date                : 28 July 2014

Time               : 17h00

Venue             : Library Gardens, Polokwane

RSVP              : Peter Mbelengwa@082 611 8197

Enquiries         : Mack Lewele 082 450 5076