Colors of Cape Town - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

In January, the city hosts a beautiful holiday - Cape Town Ministrel Carnival, which attracts many artists from different countries of the world. The history of this festival is more than a century and a half. However, the festival, which can be seen by modern travelers, has quite a recent history – it was started in 1999. The United States are considered the birthplace of faery "minstrel shows". In the 19th century it was very easy to see wandering artists in every city of the country. They held their incredible performances in large streets and squares throughout the country.

The main theme of these street performances was the same - local artists tried to portray the customs and way of life of black people, often showing them as stupid and clumsy people. In order to look like Afro Americans, artists covered their faces with a thick layer of make-up. This tradition has steadily moved to the modern carnival. The artists, who are involved into these street processions and performances, are so skilled in the art of make-up that sometimes it is very difficult to identify whether an artist is a real Afro American or just imitates the dark skin tone.

The culture of African American people seemed to be so unique and attractive for residents of the United States, that year after year the festival became increasingly popular. When slavery was finally abolished, the festival changed significantly. Various theatrical and musical performances became its main attributes, and performances that discredited and ridiculed the culture of black people simply disappeared. The main purpose of the festival in Cape Town is to show attendants how versatile and beautiful the culture of African Americans is. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

During the festival, the main streets of the city become the location of a solemn parade. Artists from each troupe try to please guests with their beautiful and colorful costumes. The celebration traditionally attracts a lot of actors from other countries. They also offer many interesting shows. The festival, which takes place in January, attracts numerous fans of blues and jazz. This event is also visited by theater fans and people who simply want to enjoy a fun and relaxed atmosphere of the holiday.

Cape Town hosts a no less interesting global event in May. This is Cape Gourmet Festival. This holiday attracts chefs from different parts of the world. They come here to showcase their talents and to present their most incredible culinary masterpieces to the public.

Throughout the year, Cape Town hosts a lot of interesting festivals and holidays. So, the main musical event in the port city is the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival, which takes place in early February on four stages due to a large number of participants, among which there are famous headliners. A visit to the festival is a great chance to get acquainted with electronic music of the Republic of South Africa. The festival lasts six days, and this enchanting time will be remembered by every visitor who've danced to the fiery beats of musicians and DJs. At the end of March, Cape Town International Convention Center becomes the venue for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival gathering thousands of music lovers from around the world. The two-day festival will long remain in the hearts of all tourists visiting the city at this time.

Beer is loved everywhere, and South Africa is no exception. This love permeates the Cape Town Festival of Beer, which is certainly worth a visit if the vacation time falls on the end of November. For years, Hamilton Rugby Club has been its venue where the largest beer producers (both local and from other countries) present their products to the public, brewing special types of beer for this time (over two hundred varieties). Besides enjoying the gastronomic program, at the festival, one can listen to great musical concerts, watch rugby games, and take part in interesting events for children like competitions, games.

Sports are very popular in Cape Town, and that's why many interesting sporting festivals are held here. Thus, racewalkers meet at the Cape Town Big Walk in mid-March, passing the baton to regatta enthusiasts coming to the Cape Town International Boat Show in late October, and then surfers take their place in late November, flocking to the port city for the Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival. Some popular gastronomic festivals include the Burger Festival held at the beginning of April and the Cape Town Street Food Festival that falls on the end of August.

Cape Town becomes the cosplay capital for two days in the middle of April when Cape Town International Convention Center hosts the FanCon Festival. Hundreds of people demonstrate their skills, dressing up in their favorite well-recognizable characters. Everybody loves colorful shows, so all comers are welcome. Cape Town has several film festivals, during which cinemas offer new films dedicated to a particular topic that have not been shown anywhere else before. Thus, at the end of March, movie buffs come to the South African Eco Film Festival, while late May in the port city is reserved for two more events - the South African Independent Film Festival and the Encounter South African Eco-Documentary Film Festival.