Celebrate Indigenous Arts at the AIR Festival 2025!

Join us on 21 March 2025—Human Rights Day—for the African Indigenous Renaissance (AIR) Festival at the Kranshoek Community Centre in Plettenberg Bay! This vibrant celebration of African indigenous music, dance, art, craft, and storytelling is more than just a festival—it’s a movement to build a shared future through the universal language of the arts.

Honouring Human Rights Day – Preserving Our Heritage

The AIR Festival celebrates Human Rights Day by reflecting on where we come from and the need to protect and preserve our diverse cultural heritage. It is a space where indigenous communities share their stories and traditions, emphasizing that cultural expression is a fundamental human right.

Presented by the Cape Town Arts Festival (CTAF) in collaboration with the Ariva Arts Foundation, Bitou Municipality, Griqua National Conference, Plett Tourism and Tshisa Talent and funded by National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC), the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP5), Western Cape Government Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), and South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) Development Fund, the AIR Festival brings communities together to honour the past while working to shape a united future.

A Day of Unforgettable Experiences!

Morning Activities (10 AM – 2 PM):

• ⁠Children’s Edutainment Zone – Storytelling, puppet shows, face painting, and dance circles.
• ⁠Emerging Artist Showcase: Discover local talents from Plettenberg Bay’s rural communities.
• ⁠AIR Dance Challenge – Feel the energy with cultural dance battles showcasing diverse styles.
• ⁠Riel Dance Showcase – Experience the Griqua Riel Dance, a celebration of survival and pride through rhythm and movement.

Special Ceremony (2 – 3 PM):

• ⁠Traditional Welcome & Indigenous Ceremonies – Spiritual blessings from indigenous cultural leaders.
• ⁠Keynote Speakers – Hear from community leaders, including the Mayor of Bitou and other industry partners, on the importance of heritage preservation.
• ⁠Griqua Choir Performance and African Praise Singers– Be inspired by the Griqua Choir’s powerful lof hymns and African Praise Singing, echoing faith, history, and cultural identity.

Afternoon Performances (3 – 6 PM):

• ⁠Headline Acts: Enjoy mesmerizing performances by Dizu Plaatjies & Ibuyambo, DJ Mijilo, and more!
• ⁠AIR Project Musicians – Hear original compositions from local indigenous artists.
• ⁠Poetry & Dance – Experience the beauty of spoken word and the AIR Dance Challenge grand finale.

Festival Highlights You Can’t Miss:

AIR Indigenous Craft Village & Marketplace

•  ⁠Griqua Craft Stall – Explore hand-painted textiles, beadwork, and artisanal crafts, each reflecting Griqua heritage.
•  ⁠African Artisan Huts – Discover pottery, woven baskets, and musical instruments crafted by indigenous artists.
•  The AIR Visual Art Exhibition honors Human Rights Day, showcasing African heritage, resilience, and freedom through powerful artistic expressions and storytelling.

African Café – A Culinary Journey

•  ⁠Griqua Cuisine – Savor traditional dishes like sheep liver fritters and slow-cooked stews.
•  ⁠Fire-Baked Breads – Enjoy brokwa, a rustic bread baked over an open flame.
•  ⁠Griqua Beer & Sweets – Sample homemade beer, coffee cakes, and syrupy koeksisters.

Why You Should Attend:

The AIR Festival is a celebration of where we come from and where we are going—a powerful reminder that through the arts, we can protect our heritage and create a future together. Your presence supports local artists, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.

Be Part of This Historic Celebration!

Mark your calendar for 21 March 2025, and join us in Kranshoek for a day of music, dance, and cultural connection. From the soulful Griqua Choir to the vibrant Riel Dance, to the rhythm and rhyme of African Indigenous melodies from Dizu and Ibuyambo.