Cape Town is indeed attractive in every sense of the word. There is something in this city for everyone. The arts lover and the shopping enthusiast will equally be satiated with several options for them to indulge in their interests. Off late, Cape Town is fast growing as the creative capital of South Africa with the uprising of the arts and music scene. Far from what the city began with, Cape Town is now bristling with creativity.
Having successfully hosted the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the beautiful city of Cape Town is now bidding for a design related title so as to be able to showcase its talents in the arts and music field on the international stage. Termed as “World Design Capital 2014″, awarded by the International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (LCSID), Cape Town is striving to be recognized for its use of design for economic, social and cultural development.
The award of this title will enable Cape Town to take its talents to the international stage and promote its excellence in South African design, film, music, architecture, performance and son, thereby aiding in the inflow of investments locally and internationally.
Even with the high illiteracy rates in the city, Cape Town is a city of bookworms.
From books written by Nikhil Singh to those by Zinaid Meeran, Cape Town has exposed its residents to a myriad of books. There are several bookshops selling a range of international collection, dealing with all aspects of life. Cape Town, surprisingly, is also known for its publications such as Chimurenga as well as regular poetry gatherings at local venues. In fact, this upcoming creative capital also hosts an annual Cape Town Book Fair every July, the Badilisha Poetry Exchange in November as well as regular poetry gatherings. Not only is Cape Town a bookworm city, it is also a dramatic one, much like the rest of South Africa.
Stage dramas are highly popular in the country as a while with many of them being organized in Cape Town. Lots of dramas are held in opera houses as well as physical theatres in public arenas, showcasing the best of stories the city has to offer. To check out the creative scene in Cape Town in the form of dramas, attend those being held in places like Artscape and The Little Theatre.
By now, the international audience is aware that Cape Town has potentials for film making. With the worldwide success of District 9 which was shot in the city, it is common knowledge that Cape Town is home to lots of local talent.
Cape Town is also known for directors and producers making independent films to be screened to a smaller audience. Film festivals are common sight in the city with movies being screened throughout the year for everyone to enjoy. There is also an annual film event, Encounters Film Festival held in Cape Town every August. Noted works include those by Sean Metelerkamp, JAR C.a.f.e., Be Phat Motel and Roy Zetisky.
Apart from this, music is also popular in Cape Town with a range of genres being played at music venues around the city. Art has its place on adverts and billboards in public venues like posters and walls. The advent of the digital photography era has made everyone a photography enthusiast. This has made it possible for the world at large to see Cape Town quickly though the eyes of snappers. In every sense of the word, Cape Town is deserving of being called the Creative Capital with room for even design, fashion and crafts to have a standing in the city.
