IAML Stellenbosch Congress Diary #8: United Kingdom

The following Stellenbosch Congress diary has reached us from Rupert Ridgewell (British Library and IAML President):

My Congress experience began soon after daybreak on Saturday 22 June, as I joined a group of intrepid delegates assembling for the beginning of the pre-Congress tour, with the unmistakable sound of Egyptian Geese honking in the background.  Our guide for the day was Engela Britz, who first took us to her place of work, the W.H. Bell Music Library – an attractive circular building, with plentiful natural light bathing its reading areas. It was especially interesting to see a selection of items from the library’s special collections, including the manuscript of a work by Blanche Gerstmann dedicated to the surgeon who undertook the world’s very first heart transplant operation, which took place at the nearby Groote Shuur Hospital in 1967. Next stop was a fascinating introduction to the Kirby Collection of Musical Instruments given by its curator, Dr Rick Deja, and illustrated with demonstrations of several traditional instruments from the Cape area. The tour concluded with lunch and a wander around the luxuriant Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

W.H. Bell Music Library in Cape Town, South Africa

This was the first of many highlights of a truly exhilarating week, which will live long in the memory. It was clear that this Congress would be special from the whoops of joy that punctuated the Opening Ceremony, conveying the excitement we all felt about IAML finally meeting on the African continent for the first time. Nobody present could possibly forget the irresistible energy generated by Professor Dizu Plaatjies and his band of musicians and dancers, with an introduction to traditional African music that prompted much dancing in the aisles by the end. The local organisers also treated us to an eclectic array of evening concerts, encompassing the jazz guitarist Louis Mhlanga with friends, a 1921 silent film (The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) with improvised organ accompaniment by Zorada Temmingh, and an illuminating evening of chamber music by South African composers.

Professor Dizu Plaatjies with his band of musicians and dancers at the opening ceremony

The professional programme offered many stimulating papers, posters and discussions, covering a huge array of different topics reflecting the vitality and diversity of our profession. Very often I wished it had been possible to be at two or more of the parallel sessions simultaneously. The two plenary sessions set the tone with a broad selection of papers representing collections, projects and professional practices in South Africa and beyond, encompassing such topics as music and wellbeing, indigenous musics, issues of sustainability, and even an examination of the fungal communities to be found in the various different media in an archive. I was especially struck by Judith Opoku-Boateng’s call to ‘archival activism’, highlighting the social and community value of music archives in promoting cultural diversity, based on her work at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana.

As ever, the Congress also provided an invaluable opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues from across the globe, to speak with exhibitors and to make many new contacts. The winter sunshine made it possible to spill out of the foyer, where lunch was generously provided, and onto the steps and terrace in front of the Konservatorium building.

The week marked the end of my tenure as IAML President-Elect and I took the opportunity to attend the working meetings of several IAML committees, to keep abreast of the latest developments and discussions on issues of outreach, development objectives, and advocacy. My official duties were, however, reserved for the Closing Session. After the ceremonial handover of the IAML gavel, it was my privilege to thank Pia Shekhter on behalf of all IAML members for her service as President and dedication to IAML over many years. She is certainly a hard act to follow!

Huge thanks are due to the local organising committee for their tireless work in putting on such a special Congress, which will provide a strong foundation for future learning and engagement with our colleagues across Africa.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens