Heritage Month

1 - 30 September 2009

September marks the annual Heritage Month in South Africa. Heritage Month recognises different aspects of South African culture: creative expression such as music and performances, our historical inheritance, language, the food we eat as well as the popular memory.

Heritage month provides opportunities to foster cultural pride and instil a shared identity through events undertaken throughout the month.

South Africa produces a remarkable range of crafts. The various types of crafts reflect South Africa’s diverse societies as well as crafters' lifestyle, cultural group and different backgrounds.

Did you know?

1.2 million people earn their living through crafts and related trade sectors. This makes them a large economic sector, which includes design, the performing arts, dance, film, television, multi-media, cultural heritage, cultural tourism, the visual arts, crafts, music and publishing.
Through its 'Investing in Culture' programme, the Department of Arts and Culture has funded 394 projects which have produced 10 938 job opportunities since 2005. Women, youth and disabled people constitute 43%, 37% and 4% of the total number, and run 70% of the projects in rural areas.
Sustainable crafts development also means sustaining the meaningful participation of women in the arts industry.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup provides an opportunity to showcase South African craft products as well as promote cultural expressions locally and internationally.

Heritage Month events

The 4th World Summit on Arts and Culture will take place from 22 to 25 September in Johannesburg under the theme Meeting of Cultures: Making Meaning Through the Arts.

Heritage Day (24 September 2009) celebrations will be held in the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality, Limpopo under the theme “Celebrating South African Craft, Our Heritage”.

Other heritage day events

Hertitage Month calendar of events [PDF]

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Last modified: 22 September 2009 15:59:51.