By Jean Fischer A blend of history, music and art will welcome art lovers to Omaruru on Saturday May 26. Two major events are the 100-year celebrations of the historic Wronsky Haus, and the launch of the Omaruru Artists’ Trail, which is the first of its kind in Namibia. It will be an informal day of fun, art and music – a meeting place that will combine the architectural grandeur of the past, with the cultural vision of to-morrow. Gudrun Murray’s Omaruru Souvenirs & Kaffeestube forms part of this stately old house set in a lush garden, and caterers are at the ready to produce meals, drinks, and snacks throughout the day. The special cake of the day will be a Namibian version of the world famous Sachertorte in honour of Franziska, wife of Willi Wronsky, who was a member of the Sacher family of Vienna. The Omaruru Artists’ Trail will give art lovers the opportunity to meet the artists and to become acquainted with their wide variety of talents, either in their studios or at group exhibitions. The work they produce is striking, stylish and unusual, and ranges from the rare art of root carving to pottery, paper making, stained glass, wood and metal work, jewellery, paintings, photography and trendy garden furniture. A Special Edition of the Om Times will include a map indicating the artists’ studios or the venues for group exhibitions to be visited on the trail, as well as background information on each participating artists. Vintage artist who will be present at Wronsky Haus is the 92-year-old Eberhard von Koenen. This doyen of the Omaruru artists will be sitting in his favourite corner in the Kaffeestube with a small collection of his art works and books. The artists’ trail includes a visit to the St Boniface Church in the main street next to the Central Hotel. Colourful murals with a religious theme can be viewed which were painted by a painter known only as ‘Lone Tree’ who, in earlier times, camped under a camelthorn tree together with his dog and a lone goat. The Mayor of Omaruru, Mike Tjirare will give a welcoming address at 10h00, which will be followed by a short recorder and flute recital of light classical music by learners from DÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¶rte Witte’s Meerdorfer Musikschule. All roads then lead to the artists’ trail. Artists will be available at various venues in the town from 11h00 to 14h00 for an event that will herald in a new era in the cultural life of the town. Swakopmund’s Trio Feminale with Christiane Ast on Keyboard, Christa Lambrechts on violin, and Susann Kinghorn on cello will perform their special brand of music in a garden setting from 14h30 until 16h30. Musician Andy Bauer from Swakopmund will make the riverside rock as from 18h00. A dance floor is being specially prepared for this event, and this one-man band will swing through the ages with music of the last 100 years. (An entrance fee will be charged for this event.) – For more information, contact Jean Fischer at (064) 570418 or Anette Niedermeier at (064) 571190 0r 0812928590.