No-one can quite fathom “stoepsit” until they have immersed themselves in this unique art of doing very little for a long enough time – while sipping and nibbling and wondering about nothing in particular – for the whole universe to come into quite spectacular focus … This June, in the middle of the knypkoue Karoo-winter, Cradockians are opening their hearths and hearts to all to warm their souls at the Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival, where creatives gather to meet and share and celebrate the art of the word and the legacy of Olive Schreiner. As always ensconced in the olde world charm of Die Tuishuise & Victoria Manor Hotel and Schreiner House Museum, hosted in conjunction with AMAZWI South African Museum of Literature and The AVBOB Poetry Project, come and enjoy the Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival.
In the Delving Deeper sessions on Friday, where academics from three continents unpack their newest insights and discoveries into a thinker who was miles ahead of her contemporaries. On Saturday, in Couch Conversations, hosted by connoisseur journalists, Izak de Vries and Tony Jackman, where featured authors converge to unpack “the making” of the books they are currently involved with. Every evening, audiences will be taken on a gastronomic unfolding in three exceptional Dinner Theatre encounters, Stoepstories and Small Plates by local and not so local storytellers. Ménage à Trois – an everlasting love-story unfolds, intertwined by music, songs and the letters exchanged between Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann & Johannes Brahms, while the audience enjoy delicacies befitting this decadent exchange by musicians Devon Florence, Garreth Robertson & Bridget Harrison. And What’s Love got to do with it, where Des Lindburg, Tony Jackman & Melina Smit collaborate to bring you songs, tales and other musings on “LOVE’.
Every year, through the generous support of The AVBOB Poetry Project, exceptional immersive training sessions are presented to groups of Creative Arts and Languages educators – in three language groups (English, Afrikaans and Xhosa) – empowering them to cascade it down to the hundreds of learners in their care. Writing a children’s picture book will be the main focus, interspersed with add-ons like a Young Writers - & Young Filmmakers workshops, presented the team from Manchester’s University of Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology; South African Teenage Science Fiction by Crystal Warren, author, poet and writing-coach from AMAZWI. Also on offer will be a screening of All that is Buried, by our Manchester contingent, a Karoo Artwork Exhibition, featuring Karoo artist Janet Kingwell (and 11 others), an IsiXhosa Digital Exhibition, with Zongezile Matshoba. The annual Karoo Travel Show hosted by Chris Marais & Julienne du Toit, is a preview of their next book, Karoo Roads IV.
Perhaps it is time to book that long weekend away in the warm heart of the Karoo for some serious stoepsitting this June. For more information on the festival and the program, please contact reservations@tuishuise.co.za or 048 881 1650.
See also:
Milk tart, murder and literary excellence at Schreiner Karoo Writers’ Festival