(Above: James Cuningham in Abu Dhabi)
(Photos taken from Facebook of some of the supporters from round the world who are endorsing the #Hope4HiltonFest campaign)
(Right: Mantu Jakavula in Durban)
Friends, supporters, performers and festinos from around the world have pledged their support for the crowd-funding appeal through Back-a-Buddy to enable the annual Hilton Arts Festival to continue in the light of diminished arts funding due to Covid.
Photos of supporters in front of iconic landmarks around the world have been posted on social media platforms over the past few weeks - from across South Africa, from London, Paris, Singapore, Barcelona, Bath, Bahamas, Abu Dhabi, Lillehammer (Norway), across the USA, Salzburg, Moscow and further afield.
The organisers invite others to continue the chain of support - wherever they are - by taking photos posing with a “Hope4Hilton” banner alongside an iconic local spot, and posting the photographs onto social media, pinning location, tagging the Hilton Arts Festival, using the hashtag #Hope4HiltonFest and asking people to click to donate: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/hilton-festival.
“We are delighted, affirmed and quite overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of global support,” says Festival Director, Sue Clarence. “Despite being far away, so many people with connections to the festival have been publicly endorsing our campaign - it is hugely gratifying and spurs us to continue to work really hard to endeavour to ensure the future viability of the festival. It is about helping the arts to survive, not simply saving a single platform. Any contributions underline the vital importance of the arts to a balanced society.”
“We love the creativity of the public in supporting our campaign – and challenge others to continue to do so. Sharing via social media, talking to friends over a cup of coffee, encouraging people to follow the campaign are all vital cogs in the wheel. Please don’t feel that if you cannot afford to donate that you cannot be involved – SHARE! SHARE! SHARE! the message however you can best do so”
Friends from across the globe join South African theatrical luminaries in their support of the festival. John Kani, Athol Fugard, Nthati Moshesh, Ismail Mahomed, Fiona Ramsay, Bheki Mkhwane, Gcina Mhlophe, Amra-Faye Wright, Greig Coetzee, David Qadasi Jenkins and others have all added their voice and support to the campaign.
To view the poignant video where acclaimed actor John Kani pleads on behalf of the Festival, please go to https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/hilton-festival or follow the Festival on Facebook - @Hiltonartsfest, Instagram - hiltonartsfest, and Twitter @HiltonArtsFest The click to donate button is highly visible and easy to use. No amount is too small …or too large!
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