1820 Settlers National Monument
Encyclopedia
The 1820 Settlers National Monument, which honours the contribution to South African society made by the first big influx of English settlers
, overlooks Grahamstown
in the Eastern Cape. A living monument, it commemorates the English language as much as the Settlers themselves. It is a venue for performances of many types.
The Monument is closely linked with the National Arts Festival
, often known simply as the Grahamstown Festival. Ever since the monument's opening on 13 July 1974, the festival has been held there every year, except for in 1975. Virtually all possible venues in Grahamstown are used during the festival, but the Monument is the anchor of the event and the biggest venue too.
The monument was devastated by a fire in 1994 and rebuilt and was officially re-dedicated by Nelson Mandela
in May 1996.
1820 Settlers
The 1820 Settlers were several groups or parties of white British colonists settled by the British government and the Cape authorities in the South African Eastern Cape in 1820....
, overlooks Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
in the Eastern Cape. A living monument, it commemorates the English language as much as the Settlers themselves. It is a venue for performances of many types.
The Monument is closely linked with the National Arts Festival
National Arts Festival
The National Arts Festival is one of the most important events on the South African cultural calendar, and the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent....
, often known simply as the Grahamstown Festival. Ever since the monument's opening on 13 July 1974, the festival has been held there every year, except for in 1975. Virtually all possible venues in Grahamstown are used during the festival, but the Monument is the anchor of the event and the biggest venue too.
The monument was devastated by a fire in 1994 and rebuilt and was officially re-dedicated by Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
in May 1996.