Zoo Park is set to be the scene of vivid performance art, music and play as the Otjomuise Live Arts Festival (Olaf) returns to Windhoek this weekend.
Presented under the theme ‘A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through the Arts’, the fifth edition of the free festival invites the public to bring their good vibes and their camping chairs to two days of bridging life and arts in the city.
Patrons can look forward to dance and performance art by Elizabeth McLaren, Seraya Mentor, Kula Rodrigues and Zingerwingz on Friday.
The day will be one of ‘planting seeds’ as visitors immerse in storytelling by Ori and music by Botselo, Steven Afrikaner and One Blood.
Saturday will find Olaf in full bloom with a music circle by Najah, performance art by Mavetjiua Haimbodi, dance with Maria Anita, interdisciplinary play by Soul X Press, spoken word by Frogman K, and music by Lela, O.U_Slow and Tapz.
Olaf is co-produced by the National Theatre of Namibia and the Goethe-Institut Namibia. The event is supported by the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) and will take place in collaboration with media partner Energy 100FM.
“There’s something special about seeing streets, parks, and corners of Windhoek transformed by creativity and community,” NACN administrator Gretta Gaspar said at the recent launch.
“What makes Olaf so unique is how it invites everyone in, whether you’re an artist, a performer, or someone just passing by who suddenly finds themselves part of something beautiful,” she said.
“It’s not just about performance, it’s about belonging, expression, and joy. For us at the arts council, supporting initiatives like Olaf feels natural. This festival reflects exactly what we strive for, giving artists a platform, encouraging collaboration, opening gates and building bridges between creative artists’ daily life.”
Though Olaf has previously taken place at various venues across the city, the use of a single site, Zoo Park, is something different.
The move is also responsive to challenges concerning staging public art in Windhoek in general.
“It has been particularly challenging with our local authorities, who still have a long a way to go in enabling the city as a thriving cultural and creative hub, particularly for public arts,” festival co-producer Nelago Shilongoh said at the launch.
“The efforts will continue in working together with local authorities in order to equip public arts, so that artists and cultural workers are able to work and thrive safely,” she said.
“Zoo Park, which is one of the city’s heritage sites is particularly important as a site specific selection,” Shilongoh said.
“Artists will engage with the environment and highlight the importance of creating works that are sustainable to the environment and community.”
Olaf’s launch, which took place at the National Theatre of Namibia, served to announce the festival’s theme, meet the festival’s talent and to introduce Energy 100FM as this year’s media partner.
“As media partner of this year’s event, our commitment includes hosting interviews with performers and organisers, sharing behind-the-scenes moments, and broadcasting live scene-sets from the heart of the festival,” Energy 100FM station manager Gerald Johr said.
“Our social media platforms will showcase the vibrancy of Olaf, and our listeners will be invited to participate, reflect, and celebrate with all of us,” he said.
“Let us make Olaf 2025 the most memorable yet. Let us cultivate a garden of expression that blooms and blossoms far beyond this envisioned Olaf weekend.”
For the full Otjomuise Live Arts Festival programme, visit olafnamibia.com.na
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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