Address to the Inaugural Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
NOTE: More information about the festival can be found at www.dglff.org.za.
John Adams, in an attempt to justify to his wife his extended absences from home, once famously said in a letter:
“I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, natural history and naval architecture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, tapestry, and porcelain.”
I believe the sentiment encapsulated in the quote speaks to the social progress we must experience in order to become the advanced society we dream of. In South Africa, however, this progress is somewhat more simultaneous than generational as it was in America.
Our history has bequeathed us a an unequal society where, where while a great many are fortunate enough to study and practice the arts, many others have not even had the opportunity of a quality education.
It is thus that our artistic expression so often has the opportunity of a finding context in our developing democracy.
I urge our artists to use your creative expression:
to highlight the many pressing issues facing our society;
to celebrate where we breakthrough;
to celebrate our diversity and reconciliation;
to build bridges between races, classes, cultures and religions;
and to motivate our communities to continue to contribute to building a truly prosperous and tolerant society
I am thrilled that this inaugural festival is taking place in Glenwood and I hope that it signals the growing popularity of this community as a flashpoint for arts and culture. Indeed, central to the plans for the regeneration and ongoing sustainable management of Bulwer Park is a open air amphitheatre able to seat 2000 people.
Personally, I cannot wait for the day when we can enjoy our first performance at the heart of this diverse and vibrant creative community.
Thank you Jason for inviting me, thank you for bringing this event to Glenwood and thank you to everyone involved in making this event and the films we will share possible. I look forward to next year’s event.