German Embassy supports OYO’s ‘The Moirai’
The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation Trust (OYO) is currently rehearsing its dance piece ‘The Moirai’ which aims to encourage discussion around gender-based violence, with support from the German Embassy Windhoek
The piece will be broadcast online at the end of the year. Philippe Talavera, OYO’s director, said 2020 has been a very challenging year for performers, adding since March, his organisation wasn’t able to have any live performances.
“The risk with extensive periods with no performance is for a company to loose its repertoire. We are therefore thankful to the German Embassy in Windhoek. Thanks to their support one of our key pieces, ‘The Moirai’, will be preserved. Also, since we can’t reach audiences on stage, this will allow us to share the piece with as many people as possible,” Talavera said.
He added that online screenings allow for some exchange, as people can share, comment and debate.
“The restrictions imposed onto us are frustrating and unfortunately we observe an increase in the number of GBV cases. We therefore hope the piece will give some hope to many people affected by this scourge,” he said.
Chargée d’ Affaires a.i. of the German Embassy Ellen Gölz at a rehersal visit said the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting the cultural sector hard as live events in front of spectators are not possible.
“Supporting the arts during those times is an important aspect of the cultural foreign policy of the Federal Foreign Office. OYO’s ability to use art as an instrument to promote pressing social issues is admirable,” she said.
The Embassy is supporting the piece with a financial contribution of N$76,000 through its cultural fund.
