This year, the Folklore Festival is calling families to join in the intergenerational conversation and fun on their creative platform #WeTheFolk for '30 days of Contemplating 30 years of Freedom in 3 Cities', culminating on Sat, Sep 14, 2024, at the National School of The Arts Theatre in Braamfontein.

The Folklore Festival is the creation of SAMA award-winning artist Pilani Bubu and celebrates African culture, music, and community. Taking place over Heritage Month and launching with a free activation on Thu, Aug 8 at the State Theatre in Pretoria, Folklore promises a six-week experience across Pretoria and Joburg (as well as Cape Town) with pan-African music, a book fair, theatre, folk jazz, spoken word and poetry, film screenings, and more. 

The festival closes off on Sat, Sep 14 at the National School of The Arts with a Family Day. It features an incredible line-up of music on the main stage, plus poetry, talks, workshops, crafts and kids' activities. Expect a storyteller’s stage, a kids' area with drumming circles, playtime, singing, and a safe place to leave your kids to play and learn.

With events and activities for the whole family, we think it is a great way to spend your Saturday, soaking in music from some of the best African folk performers.
 

The event features storytelling by storytelling oracle Gcina Mhlophe, a public speaking and storytelling workshop by Logan & Friends, an indigenous musical instruments workshop, and a live performance.

Festival founder Bubu says, "In the heart of our collective existence lies a vibrant tapestry of human expression known as folklore. It weaves together the soulful essence of a people, an intricate web of traditional wisdom, customs, and captivating tales cherished by generations past. Whispers carried on the winds of time, where words morph into dances, proverbs sing through melodies, and laughter echoes in the form of jokes. Such artistry, captured across diverse mediums, reflects the pulse of life within a community. Folklore is this collective documentation of art forms passed through generations by word of mouth."

We think this festival is going to be something special. Check out the Folklore website for more information and dates.