The Otjomuise Live Arts Festival (Olaf) will return to Windhoek from 31 October to 1 November, transforming Zoo Park into a space for performance and storytelling in its sixth edition.
This year’s festival, themed ‘A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through the Arts’, emphasises creativity as a tool for connection. It is jointly produced by the Goethe-Institut Namibia and the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN), with support from the National Arts Council.
“The festival highlights the importance of artists, audiences and the stories that bring them together,” says NTN spokesperson Desiree Mentor. “Olaf aims to keep live art accessible, relevant and connected through shared public experiences.”
Day one, themed ‘Planting the Seeds’, will feature acoustic sets, spoken word, dance and live bands, including performances by Kula Rodriguez, Zingerwings, Ori, Ou Slow and the Botselo Band.
The second day, themed ‘Full Bloom’, will focus on collective expression. Highlights include a participatory performance circle with Naja, a dance piece by Maria, and an interdisciplinary storytelling session led by Solve X. Audiences will also have opportunities to engage with artists through talks and a question and answer session. Musical acts such as Lela, Steven Afrikaner’s Band, TAPZ and a closing performance will round off the weekend.
“Olaf remains a free, open festival – no tickets, no gates, just stories, people and public space,” Mentor says.
Since its launch, Olaf has built a reputation as a platform that brings Windhoek’s streets and parks alive with creativity, offering both enthusiasts and casual visitors a chance to experience the city in a new way.
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