Yesterdays and Imagining Realities: An Anthology of South African Poetry

Arts and Creative Industries

Yesterdays and Imagining Realities: An Anthology of South African Poetry will be launched on Sunday 21 March as part of the 24th edition of the Time of the Writer International Festival, presented by the University of KwaZulu Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA).

This poetry anthology is produced through the continued poetry partnership between the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and impepho press with the support of Total SA. It gathers thirty poems from twenty-six poets under the age of thirty, to remember and to dream this complicated country onto paper.

 

A PROJECT AIMED AT CELEBRATING YOUNG POETS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

 

“We invited young poets from South Africa to submit their original, unpublished poems, inspired by the theme ‘Archiving of Imaginary Stories’,” says Selen Daver, Cultural attaché of the French Embassy. “We received almost 400 entries and were delighted to announce the thirty poems at last year’s Poetry Africa festival organised by the Centre for Creative Arts.”

“We are honoured to accompany a new generation of South African poets with this project, which culminates with the launch of the anthology at the Time of the Writer festival.” says Daver.

“We are proud to be collaborating with the French Institute of South Africa and Total SA to bring this book to life,” says impepho press publisher vangile gantsho.  “impepho press is committed to celebrating and archiving African stories while preserving indigenous languages. What a gift it is to witness this country through the imagination of young creatives.”

The anthology features work in five South African languages – English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa and Venda – and each poem is presented in English as well as its original language.  The cover was designed by artist Banele Khoza.

 

DETAILS ON THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH

 

The launch of Yesterdays and Imagining Realities: An Anthology of South African Poetry will include live readings from Mazwi Shazi and Masindi Netshakhuma. There will be a discussion between literary vlogger Linda Kaoma, translator Sabelo Soko and publisher vangile gantsho about the process of putting the anthology together, and a word from Toni Giselle Stuart.

Join us for the launch on Sunday 21 March from 15h00 to 16h30.
It will be streamed live on the Time of the Writer Facebook pageTwitter or YouTube page.
The event will also be streamed on the IFAS and impepho press Facebook pages.

The launch date of 21 March fittingly coincides with World Poetry Day and South Africa’s Human Rights Day.

You might also like

The third edition of Novembre Numerique, a resounding success

The third edition of Novembre Numerique in South Africa gathered more than 80 participants in total, and culminated in...

Why learn French?

As part of a communication campaign to promote the teaching and learning of French, the French Embassy and the...

Local Cooperation

Local cooperation is based on partnerships between French authorities (regions, departments, inter-municipalities, districts) and foreign authorities, involving human exchanges...

The Hidden Years of South African Music

The Institut Français (Paris), the French Embassy in South Africa and IFAS-Research are pleased to present the Hidden Years Music...

Let's get social
French Institute of South Africa

French Institute of South Africa

8,092

Your French / South African cultural agenda in South Africa. Follow us and don't miss out anymore!

HEADLINERS ALERT: Get ready for an electrifying celebration of music at Fête de la Musique 2023 in Johannesburg! 🎶 Open and free to all!✨ We are thrilled to announce our FIVE incredible headlining acts:🔹 Morena Leraba🔹 Nomfusi🔹 Simmy🔹 Tshepang Ramoba🔹 Musa Mashiane Musa MashianeJoin us on 24 June at Newtown Junction Victoria Yards and Alliance Française of Johannesburg from 11am - 6pm for a day of pure musical magic! 🔥🌟 With the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction and produced by Bassline "In Music We Trust" ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Supporting young talent and their mobility is important to fostering creative cultural exchanges. After spending a few weeks together in Johannesburg, students from the Market Lab have made their way to Lyon to join their ENSATT counterparts! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook