Oppiwater Arts Festival celebrates a decade of artistic excellence next year on board the MSC Splendida.

The Oppiwater Arts Festival, renowned for its exceptional blend of creativity, culture, and maritime enchantment, proudly announces its momentous tenth anniversary on board the MSC Splendida from 12 to 17 February next year! Year after year, this esteemed festival hosted by Lefra Productions, in collaboration with MSC Cruises and RSG, has captivated audiences, and in its decade-long journey, it has left an indelible mark on the arts scene. From its humble beginnings in 2014, the Oppiwater Arts Festival has blossomed into a monumental celebration of artistry with the proud support of Ambassador Execudrive, Van Loveren Wines, Hollywood Costumes, RSG, MSC Cruises, Lift, Britz Couriers and Removals and WS Pianos. Taking place from 12 to 17 February 2024 on board the magnificent MSC Splendida, bookings for this landmark event can be done online at www.oppiwater.co.za or by calling 011 844 6073. For further information, call Monica Booysen on 0118153000 of email us on info@lefra.com. Read more about the Oppiwater Arts Festival at www.oppiwater.co.za.  

Over the past nine Oppiwaters, Lefra Productions has curated and presented an impressive 214 productions, showcasing the talent of 318 exceptional artists. Each festival has been met with resounding success, with sold-out shows and eager attendees who have experienced the magic of the Oppiwater Arts Festival. The festival has not only created a platform for artists but has also provided employment opportunities to 216 theatre technicians and staff, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the arts community. It therefore came as no surprise that Frans Swart, managing director of Lefra Productions and festival director, received this year’s Naledi Theatre Award for Innovation in Theatre. “Theatre must be innovative, especially in South Africa”, says Frans. “That’s precisely why this award means so much to me and my team. Our vision has always been to make theatre work financially, and we have proven that we can be self-sustaining without any significant funding and subsidies”.

The Oppiwater Arts Festival faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, resulting in the postponement of two consecutive festivals. However, the dedicated team persevered, and in 2021, they courageously hosted two Oppiwater Arts Festivals, overcoming obstacles with resilience and determination. One such hurdle occurred in 2019 when a kink in the communication cable prohibited the sets from being taken on board. Undeterred, the team embraced the spirit of improvisation. Despite these challenges, every planned concert unfolded seamlessly, albeit with completely different sets, showcasing the unwavering commitment of the Oppiwater Arts Festival to its audience.

The Oppiwater Arts Festival has been a beacon of inspiration, fostering artistic growth and cultural exchange. Over the past nine years, more than 18,000 theatre lovers have flocked to the festival, eagerly immersing themselves in the diverse and enchanting performances. This milestone achievement not only reflects the festival’s success but also highlights its significant contribution to promoting the arts in South Africa.

“We are immensely proud to celebrate a decade of the Oppiwater Arts Festival, a testament to the passion and dedication of the entire team,” said Frans. “Through the challenges faced, we have emerged stronger and more determined than ever to continue providing a platform for artistic expression and creating unforgettable experiences for our audience. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this momentous milestone and to witness the extraordinary talent that will grace the stages of the MSC Splendida during the festival.”

Swart recently returned from a recce on the splendid MSC Splendida, the biggest ship that ever cruised South African waters. “The MSC Splendida impressed me immensely. It is 5-star luxury and more! With its 18 floors and more than 450,000 m2 of surface area, the Splendida is not only a ship … it is an experience!” says Swart. “Because we are in the theatre industry, the Strand Theatre, with its 1,600 seats is a total asset to the Oppiwater Arts Festival. With this wonderful theatre stage and equipment, we would be able to present the top theatre productions during the Oppiwater Festival.” The MSC Splendida can accommodate 4,363 passengers and has a crew of more than 1,370. With its 6 pools, 12 Jacuzzis, 6 restaurants, 13 bars, a casino and a myriad of shops, the MSC Splendida is a destination in itself. And now, for the first time, South Africans will also be able to experience the luxurious MSC Yacht Club, where you will have your own around-the-clock butler, access to a private pool and Jacuzzis, fine dining in a private restaurant and relaxing in a private sitting room. “This is going to be a wonderful experience for guests who book in the Yacht Club as you will be treated like royalty and will experience the Oppiwater Arts Festival in total luxury!” Apart from the luxurius Yacht Club, the MSC Splendida offers alternative accommodation like inside cabins, ocean view cabins, balcony cabins as well as suites.

The tenth Oppiwater Arts Festival promises to be a grand celebration of artistic excellence, featuring a carefully curated program that will be launched on Monday, 2 October that encompasses a myriad of artistic disciplines as well as a tropical holiday experience second to none. “”Where else can you attend a full-fledged art festival while soaking up the sun on a luxurious floating hotel in a tropical climate?”, says Frans. The MSC Splendida will depart Durban and call on Pomene and the Portuguese Island in Mozambique. Book your cabin now with only R3,000 deposit per person. The rest can be paid off over the rest of the period. To secure your place at this unparalleled celebration of arts and culture, please visit www.oppiwater.co.za or call 011 844 6073.

ISSUED BY Lefra Productions

MEDIA ENQUIRIES | Charl Senekal at 061 616 6138 / 011 815 3000 or admin@lefra.com

Oppiwater Kunstefees is tien jaar oud

Die Oppiwater Kunstefees vier ‘n dekade van artistieke uitnemendheid aan boord die MSC Splendida in 2024.

Die Oppiwater Kunstefees, bekend vir ‘n uitsonderlike mengsel van kreatiwiteit, kuns, kultuur en maritieme betowering, kondig met trots die mylpaal tiende fees aan boord die MSC Splendida vanaf 12 tot 17 Februarie volgende jaar aan! Jaar na jaar het hierdie unieke fees, aangebied deur Lefra Produksies in samewerking met MSC Cruises en RSG, gehore bekoor, en in sy dekade lange reis het dit ‘n onuitwisbare merk op die kunstelandskap gelaat. Vanaf ‘n nederige begin in 2014 het die Oppiwater Kunstefees tot ‘n monumentale viering van die kunste in die algemeen en spesifiek teater ontluik met die trotse ondersteuning van Ambassador Execudrive, Van Loveren-wyne, Hollywood Costumes, RSG, MSC Cruises, Lift, Britz Couriers and Removals en WS Pianos. Besprekings vir hierdie besonderse viering, wat van 12 tot 17 Februarie 2024 aan boord van die manjifieke MSC Splendida plaasvind, kan aanlyn gedoen word by www.oppiwater.co.za of deur 011 844-6073 te skakel. Vir meer inligting, skakel gerus vir Monica Booysen by 011 815 3000 of epos aan info@lefra.com. Meer inligting by www.oppiwater.co.za.  

Oor die afgelope nege Oppiwaters het Lefra Produksies ‘n indrukwekkende 214 produksies saamgestel en aangebied, wat die talent van 318 uitsonderlike kunstenaars ten toon gestel het. Elke fees was ‘n dawerende sukses met uitverkoopte vertonings en ywerige feesgangers wat die wonder van die Oppiwater Kunstefees ervaar het. Die fees het nie net ‘n platform vir kunstenaars geskep nie, maar het ook werksgeleenthede aan 216 teatertegnici en personeel gebied, wat sy verbintenis tot die koestering van die kunstegemeenskap versterk. Dit was dus geen verrassing dat Frans Swart, besturende direkteur van Lefra Produksies en feesdirekteur, vanjaar se Naledi-teatertoekenning vir vernuwing in teater ontvang het nie. “Teater moet innoverend wees, veral in Suid-Afrika”, sê Frans. “Dit is presies hoekom hierdie toekenning so baie vir my en my span beteken. Ons visie was nog altyd om teater finansieel te laat werk, en ons het bewys dat ons selfonderhoudend kan wees sonder enige noemenswaardige befondsing en subsidies.”

Die Oppiwater Kunstefees het tydens die pandemie ongekende uitdagings in die gesig gestaar, wat gelei het tot die uitstel van twee opeenvolgende feeste. Die toegewyde span het egter volgehou en in 2021 het hulle twee Oppiwater Kunstefeeste moedig aangebied en struikelblokke met veerkragtigheid en vasberadenheid oorkom. Een so ‘n struikelblok het in 2019 plaasgevind toe ‘n kinkel in die kommunikasiekabel verhoed het dat van die produksiestelle aan boord geneem word. Dit het die span agter nie afgekrik nie en hulle het die gees van improvisasie omhels. Ten spyte van hierdie uitdagings het elke beplande konsert foutloos verloop, al was dit met heeltemal ander stelle, wat die onwrikbare verbintenis van die Oppiwater Kunstefees aan sy gehoor ten toon gestel het.

Die Oppiwater Kunstefees was ‘n baken van inspirasie, wat artistieke groei en kulturele uitruiling bevorder het. Oor die afgelope nege jaar het meer as 18,000 teaterliefhebbers die fees meegemaak en elke liewe vertoning met soveel entoesiase geniet en ervaar. Hierdie mylpaalprestasie weerspieël nie net die fees se sukses nie, maar beklemtoon ook sy beduidende bydrae tot die bevordering van die kunste in Suid-Afrika.

“Ons is geweldig trots om ‘n dekade van die Oppiwater Kunstefees te vier, ‘n bewys van die passie en toewyding van die hele span,” sê Frans. “Deur die uitdagings wat ons in die gesig gestaar het, het ons sterker en meer vasberade as ooit na vore gekom om voort te gaan om ‘n nuwe platform vir teater en teatermakers in Suid-Afrika te bied en onvergeetlike ervarings vir ons gehoor te skep. Ons nooi almal uit om saam met ons hierdie opwindende mylpaal te vier en om die besonderse talent van die room van die Afrikaanse teaterwese op die verhoë van die MSC Splendida tydens die fees te ervaar.” Hy sê dat die ontspanne atmosfeer van ‘n drywende hotel, die ideale manier is om ‘n kunstefees by te woon. “Eerstens is dit ‘n baie goedkoper manier om ‘n kunstefees by te woon, want jou verblyf en al jou kos is reeds by jou fooi ingesluit. Tweedens hoef jy nêrens heen te jaag in stofstrate om betyds by jou volgende produksie uit te kom nie. Derdens, daar is geen padblokkades nie! Jy moet net jou kajuit na ‘n aand se lekker Fees vind en daarvoor is daar meer as ‘n 1000 vriendelike bemanning om jou te help!”

Swart het onlangs teruggekeer van ‘n verkenningsbesoek op die pragtige MSC Splendida, die grootste skip wat nog in Suid-Afrikaanse waters gevaar het. “Die MSC Splendida het my geweldig beïndruk. Dit is 5-ster-weelde en meer! Met sy 18 verdiepings en ‘n oppervlakte van meer as 450,000 m2, is die Splendida nie net ‘n skip nie … dit is ‘n belewenis!” sê Swart. “Omdat ons in die teaterbedryf is, is die Strandteater met sy 1,600 sitplekke ’n totale aanwins vir die Oppiwater Kunstefees. Met sy wonderlike teaterverhoog en toerusting kan ons topklas teaterproduksies tydens die Oppiwater-fees aanbied.” Die MSC Splendida kan 4,363 passasiers akkommodeer en het ‘n bemanning van meer as 1,370. Met sy 6 swembaddens, 12 Jacuzzi’s, 6 restaurante, 13 kroeë, ‘n casino en ‘n magdom winkels, is die MSC Splendida ‘n bestemming op sigself. En nou kan Suid-Afrikaners vir die eerste keer ook die luukse MSC Yacht Club ervaar, waar jy jou eie 24-uur butler het, toegang tot ‘n privaat swembad en Jacuzzi’s, lekker eet in ‘n privaat restaurant en ontspan in ‘n privaat sitkamer. “Dit gaan ‘n wonderlike ervaring wees vir gaste wat by die Seiljagklub bespreek, want jy sal soos koninklikes behandel word en die Oppiwater Kunstefees in totale luukse beleef!” Behalwe vir die Seiljagklub, bied die MSC Splendida ook verskillende verblyf opsies aan – soos binne-, see-uitsig-, balkon- en suite kajuite aan.

Die tiende Oppiwater Kunstefees beloof om ‘n groot viering van artistieke uitnemendheid te wees, met ‘n noukeurig saamgestelde program wat op Maandag, 2 Oktober 2023 bekendgestel word wat ‘n magdom kunsdissiplines insluit, asook ‘n ongeëwenaarde tropiese vakansie-ervaring. “Waar anders kan jy ‘n volwaardige kunstefees bywoon terwyl jy die son op ‘n luukse drywende hotel in ‘n tropiese klimaat geniet?”, sê Frans. Die MSC Splendida vaar vanuit Durban na Pomene in Mosambiek en sal ook by die Portugese eiland aandoen. Kajuite vir die Oppiwater Kunstefees is nou te koop. Bespreek nou jou kajuit met ‘n deposito van slegs R3,000 per persoon. Die balans kan oor die res van die tydperk afbetaal word. Om jou plek by hierdie unieke viering van kuns en kultuur te verseker, besoek gerus www.oppiwater.co.za of skakel 011 844 6073. Vir meer inligting, skakel Monica Booysen by 011 815 3000 of epos aan info@lefra.com. Meer inligting is beskikbaar by www.oppiwater.co.za.

Kom kry JOU kuns Oppiwater!

UITGEREIK DEUR Lefra Produksies

MEDIA NAVRAE | Charl Senekal by 061 616 6138 / 011 815 3000 of admin@lefra.com