The annual Otjomuise Live Arts Festival (Olaf) returns Wednesday with a special edition, themed ‘Art is Health’.
This year’s festival is poised to be a transformative experience, a celebration of artistic expression and a testament to the power of art in promoting health and wellness in the city.
It is set to embrace the community through various art interventions, aimed to emphasise the significance of public arts in enhancing the overall well-being of Windhoek residents.
One of the organisers – Desiree Mentor, the public relations officer at the National Theatre of Namibia – said, unlike the annual main programme, Olaf will focus on promoting investment in public arts and strengthening partnerships to stimulate dynamic cultural development, breathe new life into neglected communities and revitalise public art practices in Windhoek.
“All festival activities are free for the public to attend,” she said.
Starting at 18h30 on Wednesday, Olaf celebrates International Artist Day to recognise the value artists bring to the wellness of communities at the Ministry of Justice Courtyard on Independence Avenue.
Vitjitua Ndjiharine, a Namibian multidisciplinary visual artist, whose practice spans painting, illustration, design, art direction and web design, will display her art alongside visual artist John Kalunda.
Other artists who will also take part in various activities at the same venue are DJ Tumi Mohammed, the Sipelu Dancers, as well as a live drumming session.
On 1 November a music installation will take place at Three Circles viewpoint in Eros, starting at 18h30, and featuring a Gulp’s Worth.
The dance will be the focus on 8 November with Le Clue Job at the Visarend Park in Khomasdal.
A community gathering is scheduled to start at 18h00 on 15 November on art and environmental sustainability at the National Botanic Garden, featuring Slick and Candice Mouton.
More events will be announced in due course.
Olaf is co-produced by the National Theatre of Namibia and the Goethe-Institut Namibia, powered by the National Arts Council of Namibia, and in partnership with ENK Public Art Group and the National Botanical Garden.
The festival will conclude on 1 December.