Flying high for peace
KARATARA – The sixth annual Garden Route Kite Festival (previously the Eden Kite Festival) returned last weekend, bringing peace to the skies above Karatara on Sunday 9 October.
The Garden Route Kite Festival is held annually and falls under a greater, global initiative - the One Sky One World International Kite Fly for Peace, which takes place in hundreds of locations worldwide on the second Sunday of October each year. The kite festival has always been a hit in the Garden Route, regularly drawing large crowds who gather to gaze upon the numerous types of kites that take to the skies during the event.
The idea behind the One Sky One World initiative is to promote peace and love right around the world through the use of kites and the sky in which they fly as a medium.
"People are made aware of the kite's contribution to cultural history, the arts and sciences through recognition and enjoyment of the kite, its many manifestations and the activity of kite flying as expressed in many nations and regions throughout recorded history," the organisation's website reads.
For the local Garden Route event, kiters travelled down from around the country. Each of the kiters who took part showcased a range of kites, for winds of all strengths, and the weather played along too! There was also a show of agility and skill from Happy Dogs of Knysna, along with food and craft stalls, games of all kinds for children and a tea garden, among other attractions.
The festival this year was also special as it was done in partnership with Wesgro and once again in aid of Masithandane. Masithandane does amazing work in the Garden Route District, providing pre-school facilities, a care and respite house centre, feeding schemes and many other activities in support of less-advantaged communities.
The main beneficiary is the school bursary scheme that enables learners to access high schools in George and Knysna, and provides them with the basics such as stationery and school uniforms.