​Scores of Joburg designers and artists descended on the Braamfontein Recreation Centre on Friday, September 28 to ensure that their ideas are considered during the conceptualisation stage of this year’s Joburg Carnival.
 
Invited by the City’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Department to this conceptualisation workshop in preparation for the carnival, the participants brainstormed designs, and discussed and decided on the seven regional sub-themes in the build-up to the main event, themed “Jozi, my Jozi”.
 
Conceived eight years ago, the Joburg Carnival is an annual must-attend event that ushers in the New Year and celebrates the City’s diversity while encouraging social cohesion and inclusion. The carnival also provides a much-needed platform for local artists and performers to showcase and develop their talents and abilities.
 
Initially incepted to reduce the crime and grime in Hillbrow – especially on December 31 of every year – and to give residents an alternative option to New Year’s celebrations, the Joburg Carnival has become a favourite cultural activity among residents and visitors alike.
 
Characterised by colourful giant puppets, acrobatics, jugglers, themed kaleidoscopic floats, storytelling, poetry, plays and assortment of dancers, the carnival has been likened to Rio de Janeiro’s festival, but “with an Mzansi twist.”
 
The carnival is in line with the City’s GDS 2040 vision, which seeks to create a world-class African city that is vibrant, multicultural, economically inclusive and providing real quality of life for its citizens.
 
The conceptualisation workshop was the start to months of hard work and preparation in the build-up to the toe-tapping and hip-swinging event of the year. From now on until October 12, the organisers will be working hard to finalise the list of recruited artists and performers.
 
The carnival will start in Katz Street in Hillbrow at noon and proceed to the Nelson Mandela Bridge, where it is expected to arrive at 2pm. The procession will then move to Newtown in Braamfontein.
 
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