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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

New Genetics building on Bloemfontein Campus spirals into new frontiers
2015-09-11

On Thursday 3 September 2015, the Department of Genetics hosted the official opening of its new offices on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, Prof Neil Heideman, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the Department of Genetics cut the ribbon, symbolising the opening of this building with its state-of-the-art facilities.

The new genetics building boasts a new administration block with a reception area, seven offices, a small committee room, and a seminar room for 50 people. Furthermore, the undergraduate laboratory block provides a laboratory for 150 students. The research block has facilities for 30 researchers.

This building also hosts a chemical waste sorting and storage facility. This is a first for the university.

Several sites were investigated for the new building, but due to its size and envisaged second phase, a “green fields” site was found on the western side of the campus. The main entrance caters for visitors from the north, students on foot, and those using the parking area in front of the library. The secondary south entrance is for those who use the dedicated parking area south of the building. The link between these two entrances is the spine of the building, a helix with services/buildings spaced on either side. The helix will be extended in the second phase to keep the circulation and linkage of buildings as simple as possible.

In his opening speech, Prof Grobler gave a breakdown of the history of the Department of Genetics. Today, this department, which opened its doors at the UFS in 1960, is proud of its 131 students and 46 honours students.

According to Major-General Edward Ngokha, Head of the Forensic Science Laboratory, students who graduate from the UFS in the field of genetics make excellent employees. The Forensic Science Laboratory has employed 25 honours students since the BSc Honours degree in Genetics was implemented in 2010.

“The UFS delivers education of high quality and high standards. Thank you for your contribution toward fighting crime by delivering well-prepared, committed employees,” said Major-General Ngokha.

The department presents programmes on population conservation genetics, plant molecular genetics, cytogenetics, forensic genetics, forensic science, human genetics, and behavioural genetics.

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