Casterbridge Hollow Blog

The annual Innibos Lowveld National Arts Festival makes a return to the Mpumalanga events calendar in 2018. Innibos Kunstefees is an iconic local festival celebrating Afrikaans music, theatre, cabaret, children’s theatre, literature and the visual arts – ‘innibos’ in the heart of Nelspruit – just 20 minutes from Casterbridge Hollow Hotel. The 2018 Innibos Festival takes place from 27-30 June at various locations around Nelspruit.

Year on year, Innibos welcomes an ever increasing number of people, with an estimated 100 000 festival goers last year. Over the years, the festival has received accolades country-wide including the 2017 Fiesta Awards in Cape Town, where it was voted the country’s most popular festival. More than 200 performers, including musicians, actors and artists are expected to showcase their talents at this year’s Innibos Kunstefees.

At the epicentre of the Innibos Festival is over 200 art, craft, and food stalls open up to the public. The festival also has a restaurant and beer garden which provides refreshments for those in need of a shady retreat amidst the excitement of the festival. Family-friendly Innibos provides a fully equipped and supervised kid’s entertainment’s area which is available to keep the little ones active and amused for the duration of the festival.

There will also be a ‘book crawl’, where festival-goers are able to board a bus and travel from stop to stop listening to various writers talk about their books and give book readings. This year Sudwala Lodge, Pierre’s Restaurant and Sudwala Caves hosts the very popular Sappi Boeke-crawl.

The Sappi Boeke-crawl is like a pub crawl but with a difference! Here 240 patrons (80 per session) make their way from one location to another to listen to readings by well-known Afrikaans authors. There is complementary music along the way.

The first stop this year is at Sudwala Lodge where travel writer and columnist, Dana Snyman will read some of his essays and stories. The music and songs of Mathys Roets will help to create the perfect atmosphere. ‘Boeke crawlers’ will enjoy a light meal from LaFere Restaurant, accompanied by a selection of Van Loveren Wines.

Next, it’s up to Pierre’s Restaurant where guests can enjoy a sweet for dessert, while Paul Eilers, a well-known Afrikaans voice artist and actor, will read a few classic Afrikaans short stories. The last stop will be in the heart of the Sudwala Caves. Daniel Hugo, poet laureate, will read some of his poems. He shares the stage with Laurika Rauch, an artist and legend in her own right.

With Dana Snyman, Mathys Roets, Paul Eilers, The Hummingbirds, Daniel Hugo and Laurika Rauch this promises to be a night to remember.
Date: 28 June Time: 13:00, 15:00 & 17:00
Place: Sudwala Lodge and Caves

Hosted in Nelspruit near the Mozambique border, the amazing Innibos Festival attracts all sorts of different and interesting people from all over the globe. This is one South African festival that needs to be marked in your diary.

For more information about where to stay in White River for 2018 InniBos Kunstefees, please don’t hesitate to contact our experienced reservations team at +27 (0)13 737 7752 / +27 (0)72 752 0952 or via reservations@casterbridgehollow.co.za. Casterbridge Hollow Hotel is located roughly 25 km from the main festival venue and offers modern, sophisticated accommodation within hotel grounds that boast a swimming pool, gym facilities and lovely restaurant. We can help to organise transfers between Innibos and Casterbridge Hollow with Seasons in Africa transfers. With vehicles based in White River, Hazyview and Hoedspruit, all major airports, game lodges, hotels and attractions throughout the region are easily accessible. We look forward to welcoming you to Mpumalanga for 2018 Innibos!

Innibos Festival Contact Details

• Exhibitors enquiries: alison@innibos.co.za
• Performances/artists: adelene@innibos.co.za
• Website: www.innibos.co.za
• Phone: +27 (0) 13 741 5294

Image credits:
onRoute Magazine
Lowvelder – www.lowvelder.co.za