JESS OLIVIERI AND THE PARACHUTES FOR LADIES

You are invited to the opening event of the Vrystaat Kunstefees on Sunday 12 July 2015. Join over 200 fellow Bloemfonteiners in a parade of song, dance and costume down Raymond Mhlaba Street (formally Andries Pretorius Street), to celebrate the White Horse of Bloemfontein, a mysterious rock formation on the side of Naval Hill.

The White Horse has several historical narratives attached to it. Some believe is was created in the image of the horse Thabure (Destroyer of the Enemies), which belonged to Chief Lerotholi, a grandson of King Moshoeshoe, the founder of the Basotho Nation; others believe the British Garrison that was stationed at Naval Hill during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War) of 1899 to 1902 built it because they where restless and wanted something to remind them of home. In addition it was thought that the White Horse served as a landmark and indicator of a hospital for horses injured during the South African War. It is also said that every time a couple kisses at Naval Hill the White Horse moves one step forward and that on a Saturday night you can hear him galloping!

The White Horse Project is about allowing space for the sharing of multiple narratives and celebrating difference of opinion. Given the current debate on statues and symbols in South Africa, the White Horse offers an opportunity to re-purpose and re-imagine symbols in South Africa. For the last two years the project team has been collecting stories for the work and since May 2015 workshops with artists, scholars and community members have been held in order to create performances for the parade.

Join the parade at 3pm at Two Tower Church (Tweetoringkerk), Charles Street Bloemfontein on 12 July 2015. There will be spare instruments and costumes for those who join in. A braai/chesen yama will take place at ‘Nice Place’ 92 Raymond Mhlaba Street (formally Andries Pretorius Street) at the end of the parade.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/TheWhiteHorseProject

Concept: Jess Olivieri
Dramaturge: Gali Malebo
Curatorial advisor: Angela De Jesus
Production Manager: Mandi Bezuidenhout
Production Assistants: Charne Visser, Sandy Little
SituateArt in Festivals Media: Tiani Chilemi
SituateArt in Festivals Executive Director: Kelli Alred
Director Salamanca Arts Centre: Rosemary Miller
Videographer: Louis Kruger (documentary), Luis Herholdt (Elysium Productions)
Lights: Creative Kilowatt Productions
The Parachutes for Ladies (performers): The wonderful artists of Bloemfontein; Soprano Zanne Stapelberg; Hodisa Choir; Navalsig High School; Smiley Kids Association; Bloemspruit School; Sisonke Theatre Production.

The White Horse Project is part of the Programme for Innovation in Artform Development (PIAD/PIKO), an initiative by the University of the Free State and Vrystaat Arts Festival and supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, SituateART in Festivals, Salamanca Arts Centre, Arts NSW, NAVA, Creative Partnerships Australia and the University of Sydney.

Secure parking at Two Tower Church and shuttle service will be available.