Persverklaring: Koronahumor span die kroon | LitNet
Persverklaring: Koronahumor span die kroon
LitNet Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument-portaal 2020-06-05
Hoewel die huidige inperking en algemene situasie weens die koronavirus-pandemie ernstig is, wil die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument (ATM) ook die humor belig wat mense se daaglikse bestaan draagliker maak. Met nuutskeppings soos “koeshoes”, “grendelgriep” en “kwarantynwyn” asook die snaakse Afrikaanse meme en grappies wat soos ’n virus op sosiale media versprei, is dit duidelik dat daar geen tekort aan kreatiwiteit in hierdie tyd is nie. Daarom word almal uitgenooi om, as deel van die ATM se 45-jarige vieringe, hul penne te ontperk en iets snaaks, absurds of ironies op te tower. Dit kan limerieke, gedigte, gedagtes, haikoes, slagspreuke, flitsfiksie of lirieke oor dié geskiedkundige tye wees – iets wat by jou huis of enige ander plek tydens die inperking afspeel.
“Hoewel ons tans tydelik weens COVID-19 gesluit is, beskou ons dit as ’n gulde geleentheid om ons web- en sosiale mediavoetspoor onder meer mense bekend en bemind te maak. Deur hierdie kompetisie wil ons Suid-Afrikaners daaraan herinner dat ons in ongekende tye leef waaroor ons en ons nageslagte nog lank sal praat. Dis belangrik dat ons daaroor skryf en ook belangrik dat ons die humor raaksien sodat ons darem in ons maskers kan lag.”
Deelnemers moet ’n maksimum van 250 woorde in enige variëteit van Afrikaans skryf en hul inskrywings met volledige naam, e-posadres en telefoonnommer teen 16 Junie 2020 na bemarking2@taalmuseum.co.za e-pos.
Die wenner sal R2 000 wen en die twee naaswenners R1 000 elk. Al drie ontvang ook ’n jaarpermit (gesin van 4) vir die monument en museum, wat geldig sal wees vanaf die dag wat die ATM weer vir die publiek oopgestel word.
Die top-12 inskrywings sal vir ’n paar maande in die Groen Galery uitgestal word – eers virtueel, indien nodig, en daarna in lewende lywe.
Die argitek van die monument, Jan van Wijk, het sterk gevoel oor die natuur en daarom word hy vereer deur dié buiteluggalery waar sy as in ’n rots ingemessel is, knus omring deur inheemse olienhout en graniet. ’n Uitstalling van verskeie opkomende Afrikaanse skrywers word elke paar maande in dié galery se uitstalkaste van herwonne hout en glas aangebied om hiermee op die monument se kulturele én natuurlike aspekte te fokus. Sien www.taalmuseum.co.za/groen-galery/ vir die huidige “Bybel in Kaaps”- en vorige uitstallings.
Vir navrae oor die monument of om meer te wete te kom oor die talle gewilde geleenthede en afslagpryse, ook rakende die ATM se 45-jarige feesvieringe, besoek www.taalmonument.co.za of hul Facebookblad.
Kontak die ATM op 021 863 0543/ 872 3441 of stuur ’n e-pos na admin@taalmonument.co.za.
Although the current lockdown and general situation due to the coronavirus pandemic are serious matters, the Afrikaans Language Museum and Monument (ATM) also wants to highlight the humour that makes people’s daily lives more bearable. With Afrikaans neologisms such as “koeshoes” (when you dodge someone that is coughing), “grendelgriep” (cabin fever) and “kwarantynwyn” (moonshine, home-made alcohol) as well as the funny memes and jokes spreading like a virus on social media, it is clear that there is no shortage of creativity at this time. Therefore, as part of the ATM’s 45-year celebrations, everyone is invited to unlock their pens and write something funny, absurd or ironic. It can be limericks, poems, thoughts, haikus, slogans, flash fiction or lyrics about these historical times - something that plays out at your home or anywhere else during the lockdown.
According to Michael Jonas, ATM director, the institution is a living monument where there is a continuous interaction between the structure, nature, visitors and language creators. “We like to give up-and-coming writers, musicians and poets a chance to expose their work to a larger audience. Most visitors are not only very interested in the history of Afrikaans, but also curious about the language’s development and her latest creative incarnations, as it offers new perspectives on the worlds of Afrikaans-speaking Africans,” he says.
“Although we are currently temporarily closed due to COVID-19, we consider it a golden opportunity to highlight our web and social media presence among more people. Through this competition we want to remind South Africans that we live in unprecedented times that we and our descendants will talk about for a long time. It’s important that we write about it and also important that we notice the humour so that we can laugh behind our masks.”
Participants must write a maximum of 250 words in any variant of Afrikaans and email their entries with full name, email address and telephone number to marketing2@taalmuseum.co.za by 16 June 2020.
The winner will receive R2 000 and the two runners-up R1 000 each. All three also receive an annual permit (family of 4) for the monument and museum, which will be valid from the day the ATM is re-opened to the public.
The top 12 entries will be on display in the Groen Galery for a few months – first virtually, if necessary, and then in real life.
The architect of the monument, Jan van Wijk, felt strongly about nature and therefore he is honoured by this open-air gallery where his ashes are embedded in a boulder, surrounded by indigenous olive trees and granite. Every few months an exhibition of various up-and-coming Afrikaans writers’ works is presented in the gallery’s display cases, made from recycled wood and glass, to focus on the cultural and ecological aspects of the monument. See www.taalmuseum.co.za/groen-galery/ for the current “Bible in Kaaps” and previous exhibitions.
For inquiries about the monument or to find out more about the many popular events and discounts, including those for the 45th year celebrations, visit www.taalmonument.co.za or its Facebook page.
Call them on 021 863 0543/ 872 3441 or send an email to admin@taalmonument.co.za.