Karibib Arts Festival Success

LOOKING back on Saturday 05 June 2004, we can now say that we have somehow managed a first step, namely: organizing a festival that was enchanted by a truly Namibian spirit.

Judging by the overwhelming response received to the call by Carola Goldbeck-Kronsbein, herself a dedicated artist, to Namibian artists for a casual get-together, we can only agree with Archie that there really is a great need for such an event! The aim of this festival was to provide artists with a platform or forum where they could exchange ideas, discuss new opportunities or possible ventures, as well as debate on common problems experienced within the art circles. The participation from artists such as Christine and Nicky Marais; Armin Sander; Willy Grobbelaar; Annette Jacobsz; Rolla Januarie; Gen and Rolf Albrechts, to name but a few, was beyond our expectations.Also the very late entries of the young rock bands, Cobalt, Mugshot Parade and Penilane was rather surprising.This turnout was proof enough that Archie van der Ploeg was not only a great painter and a gifted musician, but also a remarkable analyst of the many existing problems for most of the Namibian artists.When Carola Goldbeck-Kronsbein and myself first started with the organization of this festival, we both knew that we were entering uncharted waters, yet the tremendous support that was given to us, indicated that somehow we were rowing in the right direction! In a world which is constantly undermined by the sad conception of and what will I get out of this?because everything revolves around money and power spontaneous reactions like the following are fantastic motivations when starting to put an event like this together: When Leonid Stuopenkov (of Leonids Minerals & Crafts) heard about the organization of another Klippenberg Arts & Crafts Festival, he said: I will organize and cook free meals for all artists of festival! Hartmut Foelscher (of Hotel Erongoblick) said: I will support with free accommodation to participating artists from outside Karibib for the weekend of the festival.The real boost, however, came from Rheta-Louise Hofmeyr (art director from the Ministry of Basic Education, Culture & sports) when she said: I will organize the bus transport for 65 student artists from Windhoek to support your festival.Then Rheta-Louise went even further and got Zvi Gorelick and Nicky Marais on board! Zvi, without any doubt, was challenged with the most daunting task of the entire festival, as he was in charge of a festive programme that was subject to constant adjustments and alterations.He had both hands full to maneouvre the performing arts accordingly, and believe me, there was a lot of performing – both on-stage and off! It was just admirable how Zvi kept his cool among delays on refreshments and snack supplies and demands from young band leaders on who is entitled to do the sunset gig! Well-done, Zvi! A very special thanks goes to all above persons for helping us to get this festival properly into gear.Without all the participating painters, crafts people, drummers, dancers, models and musicians, there could not be any festival, and we therefore wish to extend a big thank you to all of the146 participating artists.Since it was my passion for environmental issues that originally captured my personal interest in Archie van der Ploegs endeavour to establish an Arts and Environmental Trust, the day, 5th June which also commemorates World Environmental Day each year, seemed just perfect to revitalize the Klippenberg Arts & Crafts Festival.The clear sky, clean air and a beautiful natural environment, definitely added to the wonderful spirit that enhanced this years festival.The exhibiting artists created a spectacular view of this open-air exhibition with the display of their pictures in front of the natural and unspoilt background of the Klippenberg, Karibibs landmark.Judging by the beautiful wildlife scenes on most of the paintings, the observer could easily gather what our Namibian artists carry at heart.A hearty thanks is therefore absolutely in orde to many people.The 2nd Klippenberg Arts & Crafts Festival surely turned out to be a festival for artists, but we trust that next years event will be supported by a bigger audience.We can now confidently assure all promoters and supporters of art who could not attend that they definitely missed out on a great day, a wonderful atmosphere and some really spectacular Namibian performances.Art and Culture reveal our lifestyles, and thereby effectively reflect our character and image to the outer world, be it as an individual or as a nation.We should therefore make it our duty to fully support and promote our own countrys artists, because only then will we be able to develop our very own identity as a nation.The uniqueness of our country, without any doubt, lies in the fact that we have so many different cultures within one country.Yet, at the end of the day, they are still all-Namibian, and thereby offer a treasure that all of us can share.However, we should really nurture our treasure and make it part of our lives.It is not about being black or white, but simply about being proudly Namibian, and promoting our local traditions and culture.We sincerely hope to see you all back next year (and the years thereafter) as the three of us agreed on trying to uphold this festival as an annual event in Karibib, in honour of Archie van der Ploeg and all the Namibian artists.You are welcome to become involved with your own ideas of how this venture can be improved, by writing to Postal address: Karibib Tourism Promotion, PO Box 67, Karibib, or by phoning Carola at Omitara (062) 560243, or Bianca at Karibib (064) 550009.Your proposals or recommendations will be taken into consideration wherever it is possible for us.Bianca Foelscher Via e-mailNote: This letter has been shortened – EdThe participation from artists such as Christine and Nicky Marais; Armin Sander; Willy Grobbelaar; Annette Jacobsz; Rolla Januarie; Gen and Rolf Albrechts, to name but a few, was beyond our expectations.Also the very late entries of the young rock bands, Cobalt, Mugshot Parade and Penilane was rather surprising.This turnout was proof enough that Archie van der Ploeg was not only a great painter and a gifted musician, but also a remarkable analyst of the many existing problems for most of the Namibian artists.When Carola Goldbeck-Kronsbein and myself first started with the organization of this festival, we both knew that we were entering uncharted waters, yet the tremendous support that was given to us, indicated that somehow we were rowing in the right direction! In a world which is constantly undermined by the sad conception of and what will I get out of this?because everything revolves around money and power spontaneous reactions like the following are fantastic motivations when starting to put an event like this together: When Leonid Stuopenkov (of Leonids Minerals & Crafts) heard about the organization of another Klippenberg Arts & Crafts Festival, he said: I will organize and cook free meals for all artists of festival! Hartmut Foelscher (of Hotel Erongoblick) said: I will support with free accommodation to participating artists from outside Karibib for the weekend of the festival.The real boost, however, came from Rheta-Louise Hofmeyr (art director from the Ministry of Basic Education, Culture & sports) when she said: I will organize the bus transport for 65 student artists from Windhoek to support your festival.Then Rheta-Louise went even further and got Zvi Gorelick and Nicky Marais on board! Zvi, without any doubt, was challenged with the most daunting task of the entire festival, as he was in charge of a festive programme that was subject to constant adjustments and alterations.He had both hands full to maneouvre the performing arts accordingly, and believe me, there was a lot of performing – both on-stage and off! It was just admirable how Zvi kept his cool among delays on refreshments and snack supplies and demands from young band leaders on who is entitled to do the sunset gig! Well-done, Zvi! A very special thanks goes to all above pe
rsons for helping us to get this festival properly into gear.Without all the participating painters, crafts people, drummers, dancers, models and musicians, there could not be any festival, and we therefore wish to extend a big thank you to all of the146 participating artists.Since it was my passion for environmental issues that originally captured my personal interest in Archie van der Ploegs endeavour to establish an Arts and Environmental Trust, the day, 5th June which also commemorates World Environmental Day each year, seemed just perfect to revitalize the Klippenberg Arts & Crafts Festival.The clear sky, clean air and a beautiful natural environment, definitely added to the wonderful spirit that enhanced this years festival.The exhibiting artists created a spectacular view of this open-air exhibition with the display of their pictures in front of the natural and unspoilt background of the Klippenberg, Karibibs landmark.Judging by the beautiful wildlife scenes on most of the paintings, the observer could easily gather what our Namibian artists carry at heart.A hearty thanks is therefore absolutely in orde to many people.The 2nd Klippenberg Arts & Crafts Festival surely turned out to be a festival for artists, but we trust that next years event will be supported by a bigger audience.We can now confidently assure all promoters and supporters of art who could not attend that they definitely missed out on a great day, a wonderful atmosphere and some really spectacular Namibian performances.Art and Culture reveal our lifestyles, and thereby effectively reflect our character and image to the outer world, be it as an individual or as a nation.We should therefore make it our duty to fully support and promote our own countrys artists, because only then will we be able to develop our very own identity as a nation.The uniqueness of our country, without any doubt, lies in the fact that we have so many different cultures within one country.Yet, at the end of the day, they are still all-Namibian, and thereby offer a treasure that all of us can share.However, we should really nurture our treasure and make it part of our lives.It is not about being black or white, but simply about being proudly Namibian, and promoting our local traditions and culture.We sincerely hope to see you all back next year (and the years thereafter) as the three of us agreed on trying to uphold this festival as an annual event in Karibib, in honour of Archie van der Ploeg and all the Namibian artists.You are welcome to become involved with your own ideas of how this venture can be improved, by writing to Postal address: Karibib Tourism Promotion, PO Box 67, Karibib, or by phoning Carola at Omitara (062) 560243, or Bianca at Karibib (064) 550009.Your proposals or recommendations will be taken into consideration wherever it is possible for us.Bianca Foelscher Via e-mailNote: This letter has been shortened – Ed