The District Six Museum's Public Education Programme is a series, which aims to create a space for dialogue around themes of diaspora, dislocation and cultural identities in Cape Town. The intention of the series is to actively engage the broader public in questions around these themes as they have arisen in the Museum's research, archival and curatorial work.

This programme is a logical extension of the museum's ethos, which encourages public discussion around critical questions relating to legacies of dispossession, oppression and redress.

The Programme attempts to go beyond presenting knowledge in a one-directional way, and instead engage the public in such a way that they are empowered to generate knowledge. The museum has always acknowledged that knowledge not be confined to the literary or the traditionally academic. It thus encourages the recognition and preservation of the diverse knowledge of Cape Town's cultural practices generated in the public. By engaging with public in this way, the programme hopes to go beyond documentation, and is a crucial part of the vitality of a Museum, which places as much emphasis on the present and future as it does on the past.

The Public Education Programme launched in October 2001 with a screening of the documentary Tale of the Tukamanies , followed by a discussion with the film's director, Akiedah Mohamed.

"Mad about Mingus" was a tribute to jazz legend Charlie Mingus' work and influence which featured performances by poet Rustum Kozain and District Six Band members Alex van Heerden and Hilton Schilder, as well as Don McGlynn's documentary Triumph of the Underdog.

 

Future events will look at the theatrical performance of identity, re-imagining carnival and the musical heritage of Cape Town. More specifically, events are planned around:

* the research work undertaken by linguist and jazz fan Ants Kirsipuu into the jazz musicians of District Six and Cape Town;

* "Performing Identity" - a series of events which invite dramatic performers to discuss the portrayal of social and cultural identity in their work;

* Kay McCormick's work on linguistic parody in District Six;

* Workshops on Reimagining Carnival: rediscovering historical practices and tracing parallels with the practices of other carnivals.

For more information contact Mandy Sanger mandy@districtsix.co.za / 021 466 7200