NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — After much anticipation and planning, the inaugural RestFest took place just outside Nieu-Bethesda the weekend before last.
The concept behind this unique event is that participants who come and stay for the full duration of the festival, collaborate to create a functioning, cooperative community for the four days.
During this time, some people offered workshops related to their field of expertise, some cooked, some cleaned, some set up camp, some performed. No money exchanged hands for the enlightening and enriching workshops.
Day trippers were also welcome and traders who set up stalls to sell local handcrafted wares.
For months before, Iain North, Paula Kingwill and their team missioned to get the farm in ship-shape condition to be able to host RestFesters. Sheds were cleaned out, exhibitions hung, compost toilets made, bread ovens built, food was co-ordinated and cooked and a brilliant programme of events was established.
For city dwellers and locals alike, the big skies, quiet ambience and access to some of the most incredible workshops imaginable, made this festival an instant drawcard. People came from as far afield as Gauteng, Cape Town and Pretoria – and all brought with them a beautiful gift to share with those lucky enough to be there.
The formalities opened with an exhibition of paintings and photographs. Phillida Kingwill narrated the history of ‘The Rest’ documented as photographs and artworks by Robert Kingwill. The history of the farm is a fascinating one, ranging from successful farming methods to hosting and befriending a plethora of quite famous people over the years.
The Kingwills are not your ‘run of the mill’ family – and their colourful and creative side became highly evident during this presentation.
The Slabolepszy family was there…(remember Paul Slabolepszy of ‘Saturday Night at the Palace’?) This family brims with talent! Paul offered coffee sessions with captivating conversation.
Carol makes beautiful sculpted Hares. Francis and Alice performed ‘The Grooming Show’ where Francis spoke the audience through various discussions around why humans groom, while Alice cut and shaped the hairy identities of various volunteers. Tim Slabolepszy is an industrial designer and phenomenal slackliner who walked these suspended lines with the ease and grace of a Madagascan lemur. During the weekend others tried it too…and some succeeded after much practise - there was time you see!
‘The Space’ is an exquisite circular building where various workshops took place over the weekend. Its wooden floors, cosy fireplace and lack of corners make for an intimate, safe venue for self-realization, some soul searching and some fun.
It was here that Paula Kingwill and other therapists guided groups through workshops including “Honouring YOU and your place in the web of life” and a Couples workshop.
Although sounding quite foreboding, Sean O’Connor’s “Death Café” workshops were a treat. Discussions on all aspects of death and dying happened during these sessions, with a good dose of tears, joy, love and questioning of this topic. “The Space” hosted Kundalini yoga sessions, as well as a well-attended life drawing class. DJ Smeejay took over in the evenings and dancing took place late into the night – a perfect foil for the freezing Karoo evenings!
The RestFest was a treat for children! For four full days they played and gambolled safely amongst magic shows, face paintings, frisbee, boulle, art and croquet sessions.
They jammed with Jamie Jupiter on drums and percussion instruments, learned to make their own bread, slacklined and hunted for Easter Eggs. Needless to say, children were not the only people who took part here! Cows were milked, board games played, the Labyrinth and mountains were walked.
Jamie Jupiter performed his mellow music on the quaint stage and other performers also contributed over the weekend. The food was phenomenal! Some bought ingredients, others cooked, all consumed with gratitude around the open fire. RestFest was truly an example of how many people can work and live together in joy and harmony!
Nina Beaufort from PE said, “What a landscape to try and capture plus put into words, as well as the magical and loving spirit of this gathering! The Karoo skies are so unbelievably beautifully blue and at night the icy air and the brilliant stars delight…and the friendly fires around which we connected…and danced, played, prayed, laughed, learnt and bonded.”
The RestFest was a huge success. Those who attended came away truly rested, restored and rejuvenated. Organiser, Easton North said, “RestFest was four days of family fun and learning. All thanks to those who participated. What joy to be surrounded by people prepared to put in effort to make a magic long weekend.”
'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'
