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Contra.Joburg – The Return

Contra.Joburg is making its grand return on May 25th and 26th, powered by Nando’s, a champion of the arts and steadfast supporter of Jozi’s indomitable flame. Every year, there’s a noticeable dip in the artistic pulse of the city of gold post-Contra.Joburg, the city’s realest gathering formerly known as Open Studios. While there are other events like art fairs and other hoity-toity snooze fests scattered throughout, none quite match the intimacy of Contra.Joburg. Here, attendees delve into the artist’s realm, witness their creative process first-hand, and engage with their thoughts, all while having the opportunity to purchase art without just saying, “wow”. “Rekang art and stop saying wow bafethu” as the saying goes.

This edition pledges to showcase an even richer array of art venues, spaces, and initiatives, beckoning visitors to immerse themselves in artistry, interact with creators, and savour a multifaceted program featuring exhibitions, performances, and design displays.

“We at Nando’s are ecstatic to once again back Contra.Joburg, as we share a common vision of honouring African creativity and making art accessible to all,” remarked Jessica Wheeler, Marketing Director: Nando’s SA. “This collaboration underscores our ongoing dedication to nurturing emerging talents and cultivating a lively arts ecosystem in Johannesburg and beyond.”

In line with its sponsorship, Nando’s will reintroduce beloved engagement campaigns from previous years, including the “Nan-do’s and Nan-don’ts” initiative, designed to foster playful yet respectful interactions with art. Furthermore, attendees will be encouraged to partake in the “stick up for art” sticker campaign, using them to celebrate their favourite artworks with Nando’s stickers and sharing their experiences across digital platforms.

Adding a fresh dimension to this year’s festivities, Nando’s Central Kitchen (Nando’s head office) will throw open its doors to event attendees, offering a distinctive glimpse into the heartbeat of Nando’s operations and providing first-hand engagement with Nando’s Creativity initiatives. Visitors can reserve a spot for a Nando’s Creativity ExPERience, which encompasses a guided tour, art and wine pairings, live musical performances, and more.

“We’re thrilled to extend an invitation to explore Nando’s CK and tap into the creative dynamism that fuels our endeavours,” expressed Wheeler. “This experience mirrors our commitment to nurturing creativity across art, design, and music, and we’re eager to share it with the community.”

Beyond its collaboration with Contra.Joburg, Nando’s Creativity takes pride in supporting the Jozi My Jozi movement, an endeavour aimed at igniting positive transformation and instilling pride in Johannesburg. Through its diverse programs and partnerships, Nando’s continues to champion the catalytic force of creativity and art in constructing vibrant, inclusive societies.

For further details about Nando’s and its endeavours within creativity, visit nandos.co.za/creativity

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