The Emily100 centenary project was recently launched in Cape Town, featuring a comprehensive celebration in Bloemfontein, a music theater production, and a documentary. The project is led by Elsabé Brits and Karen Meiring, and aims to retell Hobhouse's legacy to South Africans. Hobhouse was a prominent anti-war activist who raised her voice against the suffering of innocent people over a century ago. Her message remains relevant today.
The centerpiece of the project is the re-enactment of Hobhouse's state funeral on October 31, exactly 100 years after her ashes were laid at the foot of the National Women's Monument in Bloemfontein. This was the first state funeral for a woman in South Africa and the only one for a foreigner. The 1926 funeral was attended by approximately 20,000 people and is being recreated with hundreds of participants in period costumes and around 200 girls from local schools.
The re-enactment will feature a procession, exhibitions, demonstrations of traditional crafts, and a concentration camp setup to give visitors an idea of the circumstances Hobhouse witnessed during the Anglo-Boer War. The event is expected to draw around 4,000 visitors and will be broadcast live on kykNET. A short documentary about Hobhouse's life will also be aired on October 25.
A new music theater production, "The Story of Emily," will be performed from October 28 to 31 in Bloemfontein's Sand du Plessis theater. The production, written by Deon Opperman with music by Janine Neethling, is directed by Nico Scheepers and stars Kate Normington as Hobhouse. The show aims to capture Hobhouse's spirit and legacy, rather than simply presenting a historical account of her life.
According to Brits, Hobhouse's message is still relevant today, as she spoke out against the senselessness of war and the suffering of vulnerable people, including children, women, and the elderly. Brits describes Hobhouse as "prophetic, activist, and ahead of her time." The project aims to revive Hobhouse's legacy and inspire conversations about people who stand up against systems.
The production team used around 30 historical photos, film footage of the original funeral, and a 300-page diary from one of Hobhouse's colleagues to recreate the event. The team hopes to recreate the atmosphere of the original event, including traditional music and food. The project is a collaboration between various stakeholders, including The Story of Emily and kykNET.
The event and production have garnered significant attention, with many people expected to attend and watch the live broadcast. The project aims to celebrate Hobhouse's legacy and inspire a new generation to stand up for what is right. Key points include:
Key points
- The re-enactment of Emily Hobhouse's historic funeral after 100 years.
- A comprehensive celebration of Hobhouse's life, including a music theater production and documentary.
- The event aims to revive Hobhouse's legacy and inspire conversations about people who stand up against systems.
