PENN in Grahamstown

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(All photos by Yiran Zang unless otherwise noted)

Penn-in-Grahamstown is a Penn Summer Abroad program that takes students to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Each summer, students are responsible for creating a blog in which they reflect upon the performances and their experiences while in Grahamstown. Featuring students’ photos, videos, and written pieces, these blogs capture students’ exploration as they delve into South African history, culture, and politics through the arts.


Summer 2012
Summer 2013

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Beautiful view of Grahamstown from atop the Monument.

South African TheaterĀ 

yiran3“Rainbow Scars”

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“The Zulu”

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“Brothers in Blood”

South African Music

from traditional South African music and dance…

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Eastern Cape Indigenous Music and Dance Ensemble

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Traditional music and dance from the Limpopo Province

…to contemporary jazz, blues, and popular music from around the world.

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Shane Cooper Trio

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Vusi Mahlasela

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Robin Auld Blues Trio

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Gloria Bosman

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and so much more…

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Improv show “Jittery Citizens”

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2013 Program’s
Trip to the Elephant Sanctuary

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Just some of the ticket stubs from the 2013 festival
(photo by MaryAnne DeSantis)

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Daleroy Sibanda from the 2013 program speaking with South African theater legend, John Kani
(photo from Daleroy’s Grahamstown tumblr post)

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Trip to the Indian Ocean before everyone heads their separate ways!

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2013 program leaving their mark on South African sands
(photo by MaryAnne DeSantis)