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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 to send a second group of first-year students overseas

2011-03-23

Some of the students who were chosen in 2010

Following the resounding success of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Student Leadership Development Programme in 2010, the UFS will send a second group of students to the USA in 2011 and also extend the programme by sending students to various universities in Europe and Asia.

This year a total of 150 first-year students will be selected compared to the 71 students that were selected last year. Last year’s group of students spent two weeks, between September and October 2010, at various universities across the United States.

The programme intends to expose the students to diverse cultures and enable them to learn leadership skills. The goal of the programme is to build a new class of UFS students who become leaders during their years of study and commit to building a non-racial community during and beyond their years at university.

Mr Rudi Buys, the UFS Dean of Student Affairs, says: “With the programme we want to develop participants’ thinking and capacity to lead in the contexts of diversity and change and we hope to direct them to programmes leading to change in student life in general upon their return.”

The three core purposes of allowing students an opportunity to study abroad are:

to introduce South African students to positive models of racial integration and integrated residential life;
to share and exchange ideas around issues of race, racism, racial integration and racial reconciliation, with undergraduate students abroad; and
to build long-term networking and collaboration between academics and researchers interested in scholarly work on themes of race, reconciliation and social justice.

Last year students were selected based on their ability to reflect critically on knowledge of societal issues and successful candidates were put through a preparatory development programme. They were divided into groups and given assignments to complete during the programme. A similar selection process will be undertaken this year.

Upon their return, last year’s group of students demonstrated extremely positive outcomes, during an assessment of the project’s goals and achievements. More than 80% of participants agreed that the course met all expectations; the content was meaningful and challenged their existing views. More than 90% felt that the course meaningfully addressed diversity. Among the successes achieved by the programme is the influence of participants in the student community.

Many serve as peer mentors for the Gateway First-Year Welcoming and Orientation Programme, while others serve as mentors in well-being and academic peer advisory programmes. Many have also been elected as members of executive committees of student associations and management committees in residences, while some have availed themselves to run for student governance structures throughout 2011 and 2012.

The programme proved to be so successful that it was decided to expand the number of students selected for the programme to 150 this year and first-year students are invited to apply. It is envisaged that 90 students will visit American universities, while 60 will visit institutions in Europe and Asia.

Last year the students were hosted by, amongst others, Cornell University, the University of New York, Cleveland State University and the University of Massachusetts.

Yale University, Amherst College and other American universities will join these host universities in 2011, in addition to the European and Asian institutions.

Those first-year students who wish to apply can find all the information at www.ufs.ac.za

Media Release
23 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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