The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) in partnership with the Free State Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSRC) is hosting the MACUFE Festival from the 3rd – 12th of October 2014 in Bloemfontein. The 2014 MACUFE edition will be staged against the backdrop of the celebration of 20 Years of Freedom under the theme “Ya Lla Melodi Ya Tokoloho”.

The Department has financially supported the MACUFE festival for more than five years and currently does so through the Mzansi Golden Economy strategy which promotes job creation and seeks to increase the contribution of arts and culture to sustainable economic development.

MACUFE will provide an exciting line-up of top local and international musicians such as Zahara, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mafikizolo, Rebecca Malope, Ringo Madlingozi, Sibongile Khumalo, Jimmy Dludlu, Don Laka, Jonas Gwangwa, Oliver Mdukudzi, Chantay Savage and Earl Klugh. In terms of theatre, the festival will host the likes of actress Susan Danford and the legendary actor, director and playwright, John Kani.

This year, the Department of Arts and Culture will introduce the Public Art through Painting Democracy project. This project will include paintings of key moments in the twenty years of democracy, murals of prominent South Africans, including politicians, artists, scientists and other outstanding achievers in various sectors, as well as portraits of some of the participating artists at the festival. The murals will be painted at strategic places in and around Mangaung.

A permanent exhibition will be mounted at the MACUFE Arts and Crafts Market for artists who will be drawing portraits using charcoal and pencil throughout the festival. This initiative is conducted as part of celebrating twenty years of freedom and democracy in South Africa. It is also aimed at promoting visual arts and creating jobs for the artists. A minimum of 20 artists will be employed as part of this project.

The overall programme for 2014 MACUFE will among other activities include skills development workshops, theatre, comedy show, dance and concerts.

For more details visit the MACUFE website: www.macufe.co.za.