The second annual Berlin November gets under way in Berlin tomorrow with an entertainment and horse- racing extravaganza expected to enthrall the masses.
The main event will be the horse racing finale which is the last of the province-wide Premier Horse Racing League, which starts in districts who then qualify for participation in this final day.
Among the celebrities attending the Berlin November are SABC 1 Live Amp presenter Luthando Shosha, Asanda Foji – Simphiwe in SABC 1 soapie Generations – and Thulisile Phongolo, who is Namhla in Generations.
However spectators and participants alike are in for so much more with a full schedule ranging from traditional horse-racing at different distances, fashion shows, craft stalls, a music festival, food court and children’s village, with something there for the whole family.
With the event already packed to the brim, the question on many people’s lips may be where can it go from here?
According to the founder of the Premier Horse Racing League and Berlin November, Luthando Bara, the sky is the limit.
“The first thing that we are going to do is grow the event to a two-day event next year and in future possibly a three-day event, starting on the Friday and ending on Sunday,” said Bara.
“Key to that growth is the development of arts and culture because we see horse racing as representing who we are in the Eastern Cape.
“There is a lot that we need to talk about – we need to talk about our heritage that is so important.
“We need to be talking about the role of traditional horse-racing and the therapeutic impact of horses on children with disabilities and learning difficulties – all these things and more are possible and it is up to us to inform people and make them realise what can be done.”
Despite the many changes that will possibly be made to the event as it continues to improve and grow over the coming years, Bara does not want to forget its roots.
Although the vast majority of entries for the day are set aside for horses and jockeys from the Eastern Cape, the smaller amount of national entries and a few from Lesotho lends credence to it being an all-inclusive event.
“We want this to remain a traditional horse-racing event and entertainment extravaganza. However we should open up to further possibilities that will allow this event to reach its potential,” said Bara.
“This is already a national event and having Lesotho involved is a good start in terms of us extending our reach to the continent.”
In all, it has been a positive start to what is looking to become a major must-see event on the Eastern Cape calendar, with the reach and interest continuing to spread.
“I am happy with how this event has been received and how it has grown over the past two years,” said Bara.
“This year people are coming down from other provinces for it and we want to grow it further going forward and make sure it fully represents what the Eastern Cape has to offer.
“We want those who come down to appreciate what they have experienced and leave here satisfied that they have enjoyed the best of our province, and our hospitality when they attend this event is key to that.”
Feast of fun in store for all at Berlin November
The main event will be the horse racing finale which is the last of the province-wide Premier Horse Racing League, which starts in districts who then qualify for participation in this final day.
Among the celebrities attending the Berlin November are SABC 1 Live Amp presenter Luthando Shosha, Asanda Foji – Simphiwe in SABC 1 soapie Generations – and Thulisile Phongolo, who is Namhla in Generations.
However spectators and participants alike are in for so much more with a full schedule ranging from traditional horse-racing at different distances, fashion shows, craft stalls, a music festival, food court and children’s village, with something there for the whole family.
With the event already packed to the brim, the question on many people’s lips may be where can it go from here?
According to the founder of the Premier Horse Racing League and Berlin November, Luthando Bara, the sky is the limit.
“The first thing that we are going to do is grow the event to a two-day event next year and in future possibly a three-day event, starting on the Friday and ending on Sunday,” said Bara.
“Key to that growth is the development of arts and culture because we see horse racing as representing who we are in the Eastern Cape.
“There is a lot that we need to talk about – we need to talk about our heritage that is so important.
“We need to be talking about the role of traditional horse-racing and the therapeutic impact of horses on children with disabilities and learning difficulties – all these things and more are possible and it is up to us to inform people and make them realise what can be done.”
Despite the many changes that will possibly be made to the event as it continues to improve and grow over the coming years, Bara does not want to forget its roots.
Although the vast majority of entries for the day are set aside for horses and jockeys from the Eastern Cape, the smaller amount of national entries and a few from Lesotho lends credence to it being an all-inclusive event.
“We want this to remain a traditional horse-racing event and entertainment extravaganza. However we should open up to further possibilities that will allow this event to reach its potential,” said Bara.
“This is already a national event and having Lesotho involved is a good start in terms of us extending our reach to the continent.”
In all, it has been a positive start to what is looking to become a major must-see event on the Eastern Cape calendar, with the reach and interest continuing to spread.
“I am happy with how this event has been received and how it has grown over the past two years,” said Bara.
“This year people are coming down from other provinces for it and we want to grow it further going forward and make sure it fully represents what the Eastern Cape has to offer.
“We want those who come down to appreciate what they have experienced and leave here satisfied that they have enjoyed the best of our province, and our hospitality when they attend this event is key to that.”
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