67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day to crochet up a Guinness record-breaking storm on Mozart’s birthday
JOBURG – 67 Blankets sets out to break records to beautiful tunes.
On 27 January 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day is set to crochet up a Guinness record-breaking storm on Mozart’s birthday. This will be the fifth Guinness World Record attempt in five years.
This auspicious day marks not only the birthday of Mozart, but also the fifth birthday of the 67 Blankets initiative, which has won several awards and smashed world records in its desire to continue Madiba’s legacy by keeping thousands of people around the world warm.
“In the year following the centenary of Madiba’s birth, we are honoured to be continuing with our knitting revolution in his name. 67 Blankets has exceeded our wildest expectations, galvanising communities and bringing joy, hope and comfort to thousands of people around the world. We can’t wait to toast our fifth birthday with yet another world record attempt to the beautiful strains of Mozart,” said Carolyn Steyn, founder of the 67 Blankets initiative.
Yase Godlo, the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Mandela Day and outreach manager said they were thrilled to be partnering with the 67 Blankets initiative, which continues to touch many lives through the sterling work it does to propagate Madiba’s legacy.
“As they enter their fifth year and fifth world record attempt, we wish the ‘KnitWits’ well as they again set out to make a concrete difference, stitch by stitch,” said Godlo
To mark this special occasion, 67 Blankets has called on the public to bring their crochet hook and crocheting to the Linder Auditorium on the day, as together South Africa’s KnitWits set out to crochet away for at least 27 minutes in a bid to clinch yet another world record to add to their arsenal.
While the KnitWits are crocheting up a storm, maestro Richard Cock will be conducting musicians in performing a selection of exquisite Mozart works to ensure the record attempt is music to all participants’ ears. This includes Elize Kruger playing one movement of a Mozart piano sonata, a string quartet performing Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and a marimba band adding to the Mozart- and Madiba-inspired merriment.
“The Johannesburg International Mozart Festival is extremely excited about teaming up with 67 Blankets for this World Record attempt. JIMF loves getting involved in different things, and when we discovered the synergy between JIMF’s birthday, Mozart’s birthday and 67 Blankets’ birthday, we just couldn’t resist. We are so looking forward to all the crocheting on the 27th, and to bringing Mozart’s music to a whole new audience,” said Richard Cock.
