Dear Patrons

At the conclusion of the month of March and as we enter the month of April persons of faith have already been celebrating various commemorative religious events while others are preparing for their respective religious commemorations and celebrations.

Adherents to the Jewish faith recently celebrated Pesach or as it’s known in English, Passover with the overarching theme of redemption. Equally it represents a story of triumph over adversity.

Adherents of the respective Hindu faiths recently celebrated the festival of Holi. A time that spreads the message of love and togetherness symbolising the triumph of good over evil, while the colourful festival unites people and removes all sorts of negativity from life.

Those who follow the Christian faith are preparing for Easter that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Remembering the resurrection remains a way to renew daily hope of those who subscribe to the faith, to have victory over sin or wrongdoing.

Those who adhere to the tenets of Islam are preparing for the auspicious month of Ramadan – the month in which Muslims observe fast from dawn to dusk in obedience with the decree of Allah. As one of the five pillars of Islam, the fast helps believers to purify their hearts, renew their faith, seek forgiveness, and increase self-discipline. It is also a time to focus on what is most important and positive in a believer’s life.

All of these respective religious observances culminate in the universal theme of humanity incorporating the acts of kindness, love, empathy, honesty, forgiveness, tolerance as well as what is known in Africa as the “spirit of Ubuntu”

The past year has not been easy on us and indeed across the world as the global pandemic of COVID-19 hit us in many facets affecting resulting in the loss of many lives and livelihoods.

I trust that through these respective religious observances that we may collectively as the human race find renewed hope for and in the world.

Chag sameach to those of the Jewish faith, Happy Holi to those of the Hindu faith, a blessed Easter to those of the Christian faith and Ramadan Kareem to those of the Muslim faith.

Marlene le Roux

Artscape CEO