With more than 2,400 performances over 11 days, the 44th instalment of the annual National Arts Festival concluded on Sunday with organisers quashing rumours that the event could be moved to Cape Town.
Festival CEO Tony Lankester dismissed the rumours, which gained some traction after the few hiccups experienced during this year’s event, including the cancellation of some shows due to electricity outages attributed to severe weather.
“The weather hampered the setup of the Fingo Festival by a day and there were 40 shows affected by a weather-related electrical fault, but overall there were no hitches,” he said.
“Makhanda [Grahamstown] is our home and there are no plans to move the festival.”
Lankester said new elements to the festival, including the introduction of the Creativate Digital Arts Festival and the Buskers programme, added new energy and fresh interest.
“[Responses have been] very positive. The new Village Green location was very wellreceived and comments on the programme quality and diversity of work were overwhelmingly positive. There have been a number of sold-out shows and good audience numbers.”
A post-event analysis of the move of the Village Green to Victoria Girls’ High School sports grounds, which received a few mixed reviews during the festival, would be discussed with the school’s management.
“We have a three-year agreement with the school so we anticipate being there until, at least, 2020,” he said.
Lankester said although there were one or two medical emergencies during the 11-day period, these were swiftly handled by emergency services.
“At an event of this scale there are always one or two medical emergencies, and this year was no different, with one or two staff and patrons taking ill at various points.
“But we have a good medical team and emergency services on standby so these were dealt with quickly,” he said.
As for ticket sales and number of visitors, Lankester said these details would be released later this week.