The Brixton community gathered in light to spark some welcomed joy in Johannesburg!
Brixton, South Africa (04 September 2023) — The Brixton neighbourhood in Johannesburg saw its streets illuminated over the weekend as the Brixton Light Festival reminded the community of its own light.
The highly anticipated festival saw performers of all crafts and milestones bring literal and emotive lights to the neighbourhood, from Locals Vocals Brixton and the National Youth Orchestra to artistic communities like Isegazini Arts Awareness. All in all, hundreds of creatives gathered to make the parade sing and the community magic happen.
Against the backdrop of light in all kinds of unexpected places (like trumpeters adorning golden-lit clouds), the Brixton Light Festival’s brightest light by far was that of its community.
Here, a sense of freedom and unity couldn’t be ignored, as constructed birds took to light and the parade route showcased the talent of Brixton.
For the Joburgers in attendance, it was a reminder that amid all the recent struggles the city has faced, light can still exist simultaneously and so can hope for brighter tomorrows.
Led by Shade Brixton (a project space for artists and eco-activism that exists thanks to creatives like Tamzyn Botha), the Brixton Light Festival is a love letter from and to the Brixton community.
“Many many hands have played roles. Residents have donated time, food, paint, labour their homes and expertise,” shared Shade.
And all of it was worth it on Saturday when the festival showed (yet again) that when a community celebrates their neighbourhood, a ripple effect of light is sparked.
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