Film & Arts Festival featuring Handspeak Deaf Korean Performers

The Centre for Deaf Studies marks its jubilee with a diverse programme for all.

The Centre for Deaf Studies at Wits University is celebrating its 25^th Anniversary in September with a month long programme featuring a range of activities including panel discussions and social events. All events are open to people of different abilities. The Centre is the only one of its kind in Africa, and is recognised by the South African Department of Higher Education as a Centre for Excellence.

An integral component the celebration is the Deaf Culture, Performance and Art programme from 25 September to 30 September 2023. The main cultural event on Friday, 29 September features Handspeak, Deaf Korean performers, as well as South African Deaf artists and films by Deaf artists. Tickets are available via Quickets.

The Handspeak Korean Deaf Performers, a remarkable ensemble based in South Korea, defy conventional notions of artistic expression and communication. Comprised of talented individuals living with varying degrees of hearing impairment, this tight-knit troupe utilises sign language, expressive facial gestures, body movement, and music to convey compelling stories and emotions. Their performances span an array of genres, from contemporary dance to theater and multimedia installations, all without uttering a single word. Through their innovative and emotive work, the Handspeak Korean Deaf Performers challenge stereotypes surrounding the deaf community and demonstrate the profound potential for human expression beyond the constraints of traditional language. This extraordinary ensemble has received widespread recognition for their groundbreaking contributions to the arts and their advocacy for inclusivity.

Saturday, 30 September continues with the theme of social interaction. 

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