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Celebrating Heritage Day at the 1st Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival!
Heri-Trav celebrated Heritage Day, on 24 September, with Intangible Cultural Heritage under the banner and category of World Heritage and global importance.
Cultural heritage does not end at monuments, museums, and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge, and practices concerning nature and the universe or knowledge and skills.
For South Africa and Wellington, such a festival plays a huge role in the specific outcomes of tourism, and economic, and employment growth.
Launching books on Dr Andrew Murray- Letters to his children compiled by true blood descendant Isabel Murray- (she worked as a social worker and community developer with people with disabilities, students, and communities for three decades. She has a PhD in Practical theology. She also presented papers and workshops at social work and Theology conferences on Spirituality in America, Canada, and South Africa. When she discovered her missionary grandfather’s diaries, she pursued her post-doctoral research fellowship and did historical research on her grandparents, Rev AG Murray and Tillie Theron as pioneering DRC missionaries. She was an archival officer/researcher at the Dutch reformed Church Archives and co-edited two historio-graphical publications). Andrew Murray was her Great uncle, the brother of her Great Grandfather George. Isabel held an interactive session telling the stories of the letters about the life of the Murray family which fascinated the audience who are Wellington citizens, just like Andrew Murray. Diverse generations learned more about the statue in front of the Moederkerk looking down Church Street. Murray: God se gestuurdes-by Andrew Kok, a book about all the Murray children was also presented, amazing the audience about Andrew Murray sr and the beginning of his journey with God and raising his children for God. This year we celebrated 200 years with the Murrays.
Stories are a great way to pass on Intangible Cultural Heritage and to express who you are.
A statue came to life at the 1st Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival this Heritage Day. The Wellington Museum served as the perfect venue, with memorabilia, like furniture, photographs, and books held by the museum that belonged to the Murrays. Making the experience of the stories real and relatable. Connecting us as human beings.
Andrew Kok, the Chairman of The Huguenot Society of South-Africa and Manager of the Dutch Reformed Church Archives interacted with the audience and impressed them with his vast knowledge of the history right under our noses. With passion and good energy, he invited festival attendees into the stories of the Huguenots and humanity. With the Huguenot’s Society’s new book; Hugenote aan die Kaap. Telling the stories of their journey when they fled from France to South Africa. Many came to Wellington and interesting facts were realized by hearing about people that pioneered and persevered while being pursued.
Val du Charron’s beautiful wines complimented the stories at the Intangible Cultural Heritage festival. We are grateful for their generous sponsor. Aquelle water filled the festival with flavour and fun. Wellington businesses supported the festival and Heri-Trav thank the Wellington Museum and the staff for their help and support. Their exquisite service and hardworking nature remain consistent. We are grateful. The speakers, Edwina Samuels, who welcomed guests, and Geraldine Abrahams; reading from Sewe penne, lit up the day with their bubbly personalities and we thank you for your beautiful words.
Featured Photo: Jamile De Koker( CEO-Heri-Trav; organiser and founder of the Festival); Dr Andrew Kok; Isabel Murray(Andrew Murray descendant); Stef De koker (Executive Heri-Trav; organiser and founder of the Festival); Edwina Sameuls (speaker); Geraldine Abrahams(speaker)
Stef Cupido lives in Wellington and is the mother of a twelve-year-old girl. She loves animals and music. 'I'm first of all a writer and then a poet. I also like to draw trees and scenes from nature, but I see myself as an amateur in that regard.' At the moment she's concentrating on writing short stories and poems, and she is especially fond of using the haiku as a form. 'In 2018 when I decided to write full-time, I fell in love with the haiku. I started the collective Falling to introduce poetry in all its forms. The project has been launched this year on Nelson Mandela Day with the Illustrated haiku collage about social distance & corona virus. 'When I received the news that I was chosen for the Kommadagga Workshop, it was such a shock! I was in the internet café and I put my hands to my face out of joy! I kept shaking my head and the people around me must have thought I went totally off my rocker!' Stef wants to discover the stories deep inside her and is grateful for the opportunity to meet other writers and to be able to talk with other people with ink in their blood. 'This project brings me more self-confidence; I don't have to have doubts any longer.'
