Garden Route Eisteddfod takes root

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - The well-known and historical George Eisteddfod will henceforth be incorporated by the Garden Route Eisteddfod, under the directorship of two dynamic sisters, Lizette Gerber and Alida Gerber-Lategan.

The sisters were approached earlier this year by the George Eisteddfod committee to take over the reins and ensure that the legacy of the George Eisteddfod continues. "It was time," said former coordinator Annaretha Louw, an Afrikaans teacher at Outeniqua High School.

"This is the end of an era, but really just the beginning of a new life for the arts in George and the Garden Route. All the trophies are handed over to the new management. They have all our support."

According to Louw the George Eisteddfod initially started as a schools project. "I came on board at least 15 years ago. It was first presented every two years, and later became an annual event. Many children visited a theatre for the first time when they performed at the Arts Theatre during the eisteddfod."

Louw said she could not have done it all these years without the help of Yvette Brown, Leanna Boonzaier and Leentjie Nell.

Taking root

The Garden Route Eisteddfod originated during 2019 when Gerber and Gerber-Lategan coordinated the dance division of the George Eisteddfod, where the local dance community made an executive decision to privatise the dance division of the eisteddfod.

In 2021 the drama and vocals divisions were added to the Garden Route Eisteddfod to create opportunities for performers despite the limitations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Watch this space

The Garden Route Eisteddfod will be hosted in George in August this year. The eisteddfod will include the following divisions: dance; drama; classical vocals; contemporary vocals; instrumental; visual arts and creative writing.

Gerber-Lategan said the new committee's current focus is to promote the eisteddfod and invite all schools and individuals in and around the Garden Route to this exciting opportunity for the performers and artists.

A long-term goal is to align the eisteddfod as a scouting mechanism for other subsidiary projects through their performance company LLAB Communications (Pty) Ltd. Local talent thus stand the chance to be included in professional, collaborative projects within the arts industry.

Fotogalery: George Eisteddfod to be incorporated in Garden Route Eisteddfod

"We have great respect for the legacy that was created by the George Eisteddfod, including the hard work and tenacity of its committee," said Gerber-Lategan.

"However, we are excited to modernise the eisteddfod by including an industry-related approach to the arts. We want to encourage and educate the performers and participants, help them to visualise and pursue a professional career as an artist."

VIDEO: George Eisteddfod nou deel van Garden Route Eisteddfod

Lizette Gerber said the local community will be delighted by some well-known faces on the eisteddfod's judging panel, who will be announced in the following months.

"We are inviting high profile industry professionals for each discipline who are, or has actively pursued, a career in the arts and whose input and advice to our performers would be a valuable contribution to their training and education. Our intended awards and prizes will also enable our top performing candidates to take that next step in their respective industries."

Elrine Lottino, head of vocals and instrumental