Accompanied by music and colours and a playful summer wind, Cape Town City Mayor Helen Zille addressed enthusiastic crowds at the launch of the Cape Town Carnival at a fabulous preview on Long Street on Monday evening.

The inaugural event is planned for 12 - 14 March 2010. A colourful display of dances and performers twirled, stamped and pirouetted - from ballet to flamenco to gumboot dancing  - offering the gathering crowds a taste of the Rio-style Carnival that promises to be wholly inclusive of all Cape Town's peoples and cultures.

The event was attended by, among others, Consul Generals from the USA, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Austria, Russia and China.

 

 

 

In her speech, Mayor Zille (pictured top left with a group of Xhosa performers), said:

 

"We would like to see Cape Town's renowned festivities taken to the next level, with an event that reflects our city as a whole, incorporating a broad range of our local music genres, dance styles and other performing arts. 

So, from 2010 onward, the City will throw its support behind an all-inclusive Carnival, to offer a spectacular showcase of Cape Town talent, to bring our diverse communities together, and to draw visitors from all over the world."

 

She elaborated:

 

"It intends to give communities, and especially the youth, something positive to work towards. And it will help us to build the Cape Town brand, positioning the city as an international cultural capital."

 

The images above (courtesy of Isabel Meyer) illustrate the kind of energy that the anticipated 1500 - 3000 artists (dancers, musicians, singers etc) will bring to the parade that will form the main event of the Carnival weekend.

 

For more information on this exciting new event on Cape Town's calendar please refer to our earlier blog post and check out the official Cape Town Carnival website.

 

You may also contact Programme Manager Isabel Meyer on 083 6019097.