The fate of ballet cemented at Trematon House
JOHANNESBURG – Members of ballet academies, both past and present, attended the unveiling of the historical Blue Plaque at Trematon House, to commemorate the first home of professional ballet in Johannesburg.
15 November marked an historical day for members of ballet societies across South Africa, as the historical Blue Plaque was unveiled. The rain over the weekend subsided for long enough to allow the attendees of the event to reminisce about ballet of the past and of the present and to allow the unveiling of the Blue Plaque; saluting ballet of the future.
“The heritage foundation, of which I am a member, does put up blue plaques around Jo’burg CBD to commemorate heritage sites, but there are very few artistic plaques,” said Michael Hobson, who organised the placement of the plaque.
CEO of Joburg Ballet, Dirk Badnhorst said, “This house is where the official professionality of ballet in Johannesburg started, and so it’s just fitting for us to honour this place in our heritage and the people, and not forget where we came from.”
Thanks was given to the ballerina’s from South Africa’s first ballet organisation in the 1960s, who attended the unveiling to show their solidarity and support for the cause. All attendees were in agreement that ballet is an art form that needs to be embraced in South Africa.
South Africa’s own Prima Ballerina, Burnise Silvius, was given the honour of unveiling the Blue Plaque to signify the Trematon House as a place of significance for ballet in South Africa.
