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25 Years. One festival.

08 July 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied

Vrystaat Arts Festival 2025 — Come and experience the arts that make life meaningful at the 2025 Vrystaat Arts Festival from 15 to 19 July 2025 on the University of the Free State Bloemfontein Campus.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to once again open its Bloemfontein Campus to one of South Africa’s most beloved cultural traditions – the Vrystaat Arts Festival – taking place from 15 to 19 July 2025. This year marks 25 years since the UFS first became a partner of the festival, a milestone that celebrates not only a rich artistic legacy but also a deep-rooted commitment to creativity, community, and connection.

Adding much significance this year is the presence of the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, who will be experiencing the festival for the very first time as part of the UFS community.

“It has been a quarter of a century of growth, togetherness, multi-faceted inspiration, and joyful celebration,” says Prof Klopper.

“This partnership … embodies our fundamental commitment to social impact and our belief that universities should be catalysts for cultural development and social cohesion.”

With theatre, literature, music, film, visual arts, interactive exhibitions, and a strong showing by UFS students and staff, the festival is a multi-sensory celebration of South African talent and thought.

A highlight of the programme is a tribute to Prof Nico Luwes, a beloved figure in Free State theatre and former Head of the UFS Department of Drama. Prof Klopper will also lead this year’s UFS Thought-Leader Panel Discussion on 17 July at 12:00, unpacking the theme ‘Reimagining Higher Education for Employability and Sustainability’ in the Albert Wessels Auditorium.

Two exciting book launches will further enrich the programme:

Thinking Through Food in South Africa: Identities, Embodiment and Representation co-edited by Prof Vasu Reddy, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, and Prof Lebo Moletsane from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (15 July), and
Research and Activism: Ruth First and Activist Research co-edited by Prof Saleem Badat, Research Professor in the UFS Department of History, and Prof Reddy (16 July).

As Prof Klopper reflects:

“This festival strengthens the bonds between our university and the broader Free State community, embodying the spirit of ubuntu that defines our institution.”

With fresh energy, familiar traditions, and a quarter-century of memories, the 2025 Vrystaat Arts Festival is set to be a celebration like no other.

Here are just some of the UFS contributions to this year’s festival:

Department of Drama

Die bruikbare idioot

Verbode Gedagtes in Stereo

Rooikappie en die Drie Varkies

Gebou soos Steffi Graf

The semblance of permanence

Willemien en Meraaitjie en Willie Wragtig die Troeteldrakie!

Bielie

Die Moedige Avonture van Prinses Petronella

Harte-Bliksems

Perspectives on Perspectives of Love

The Masks

Visual Arts

In Resonance

Oh no! She swallowed a fly!

Sticks and figures drawing workshop

Literature

Thinking Through Food in South Africa: Identities, Embodiment and Representation

Henriette Grové, bekende dramaturg en prosaïs

Sy word Sestig!

Transponering van romans na dramas en/of films

Van Egoli via 7de Laan tot in Binnelanders

Hulde aan die helde: Nico Luwes

Research and Activism: Ruth First and Activist Research

Spookstories van CJ Langenhoven

Sprankelverse uit die oude doos

Vlieks

Cleanse

Echoes of the Land

Sehlabelo

Lag en Legende: ’n Wandeling deur die loopbaan van Tobie Cronjé

Sci-ed

Sci-Ed interactive exhibits

Sci-Ed Science Café

Sci-Ed Science Café: Sterre en Planete

Science@Dinner

Science Show at Sci-Ed

Sci-Ed Stargazing

Wetenskapvertoning by Sci-Ed

Make your bath bombs

Make and launch your own parachute

Make your own marshmallows

Make your own rocket

Planetarium

Bedreigings vir Aarde: satelliete, asteroïede en meer …

Max Goes to the Moon

Mysteries of your Brain

Passport to the Universe / Ruimtevorms

Threats to Earth: satellites, asteroids, and more …

Wêrelde buite die Aarde

Worlds Beyond Earth

Entrance tickets to the festival grounds and the theatre productions are already on sale at Webtickets.

Come and experience the arts that make life meaningful.

News Archive

UFS launches projects to assist communities and current students

2011-03-16

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector and Mr Rudi Buys, Dean: Student Affairs, with learners at the Bloemfontein-Oos Intermediary School.
Photo: Stephen Collett

The University of the Free State (UFS) has launched four exciting projects set out to improve the circumstances of its current and prospective students. These include a project that will honour dedicated and influential educators.

These community service projects in the starting blocks are: the UFS Schools Partnership Project, Extreme Make-over Project, Great Teachers Project and the No Student Hungry Campaign.

The Schools Partnership Project aims to support 21 schools across the Free State in helping them to become top achievers in the next three to five years. The schools involved were selected last year, after which the groundwork for the project was finalised. Although it mainly focuses on improving scholars' results in mathematics, accounting, physical sciences and English, it is also custom-designed according to the specific needs of the school, as indicated by the respective governing bodies beforehand. As a bonus, scholars of the schools involved will be given an opportunity to be introduced to student life; something Dr Choice Makhetha, UFS Vice-Rector: External Relations (acting), claimed to be of great importance. “We will invite Grade 10 to 12 learners to winter and summer schools being presented at the university. We will connect learners with students (one student adopts one learner for the day) for them to experience campus life. Grade 12 learners will also receive an invitation to the May 2011 graduation ceremony,” Dr Makhetha said.

Adding to the university's involvement at schools on local level, the newly upgraded Bloemfontein-Oos Intermediary School with its 112 UFS-sponsored tables will officially be revealed by the end of April. Although this school's upgrade showcases the power of partnerships, it is of special importance to the university, as it also marks the first school to receive an extreme make-over as part of the 'Extreme Make-over for Schools Project'. This project, in conjunction with the local business community, university staff and students, the community, the Department of Basic Education and SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), is considered to be a flagship project of the Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof. Jonathan Jansen. Part of the project’s agreement includes visits from a group of about 100 students representing campus initiatives such as the UFS’s Kovscom, Rag and SIFE, which will contribute to the improvement of the schools' resources within a period of 10 – 15 weekends. “We invite support from all corners. South Africa has a business community committed to improving the social circumstances of its community and we plead that they also come to the rescue of the Bloemfontein-Oos Intermediary School,” said Dr Makhetha.

By spreading a 'can do' attitude, the UFS aims to honour noble and remarkable teachers across the country by means of its 'Great teacher's project'. Through the project, fellow citizens are encouraged to submit their stories on their former or current teachers’ dedication and their positive impact which are often overlooked. The panel of seasoned education scholars and practitioners will select the top 500 stories based on the stories' clarity, distinctiveness, plausibility and affectability, which will be perpetuated in a book called 'Great Teachers', to be released at the end of this year. Proceeds are destined to serve as bursaries for students who wish to pursue a career in education. According to Prof. Jansen the ideal teacher is: “Somebody who was among, but stood out above, their colleagues, a person who made a lasting impact long after the details of subject matter content of examination preparation were forgotten.”

Regardless of this exceptional effort of supporting schools across the province, the UFS remains committed to its students and their social welfare by means of the 'No student hungry' campaign. This project provides financially challenged students the opportunity to purchase food from the Thakaneng Bridge on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein by using their student cards at two selected kiosks serving balanced meals. The project, which is under the guardianship of Ms Grace Jansen and Dr Carin Buys, relies solely on several fund-raising projects across the country. These women are the respective spouses of the Rector and Dean: Student Affairs, Mr Rudi Buys. According to Ms Jansen this initiative was proposed after UFS staff reported that many students were struggling to concentrate on their studies due to hunger pangs. Although the campaign recognizes students with strong academic records, it doesn't overlook those who need a food bursary which might result in them dropping out. Ms Jansen said as the external funds gathered increase, so will the amount of students being supported by the project. “The plan is to continue until the fate of hungry students had come to an end,” she said.

Media Release
14 March 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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