The Great Pop-Up: Celebrating Namibian creativity and culture

MICHAEL KAYUNDE
Windhoek is gearing up for a one-of-a-kind cultural extravaganza as The Great Pop-Up prepares to take over Palm Tree Park tomorrow.

This unique market event, organised by Monochrome Magazine and Vinyls Music Café, promises a day filled with fashion, hair and beauty, arts and crafts, accessories and DJ sets, providing attendees with a truly immersive and diverse experience.

In an exclusive interview with Monochrome Magazine founder Betty Sibeso, we gained insight into the inspiration behind The Great Pop-Up and what sets it apart from other festivals in the city.

"The first edition of The Great Pop-Up was hosted in 2017," she said.

"We had body painters and a variety of Namibian fashion brands under one setting, selling and showcasing their work. One of them even sold out on the day.

“Ever since, our aim has been to offer a platform that allows Namibian brands to interact with their clientele and get introduced to new customers while ensuring a fully immersive shopping experience for market-goers."

Chill vibes

With an abundance of festivals and events taking place in Windhoek, tjil asked what makes The Great Pop-Up a must-visit for attendees looking for a vibrant cultural experience.

To this, Sibeso replied: "There is a market for everyone in Windhoek, but ours speaks to people who are looking for an atmosphere of chill vibes, good food and conversation while listening to soft sounds, from jazz to RnB.

“It's a day event that has a variety of things to offer, and it is also family-friendly. It celebrates Namibian music, fashion and art. It allows people to proudly shop Namibian brands and businesses."

She admitted that curating the diverse range of participants and vendors for this edition of The Great Pop-Up was no easy task.

The event started out as one for Namibian fashion brands, she added, as they saw that they were not represented in retail shops.

“As a fashion magazine, our objective is to amplify Namibian creatives. Over the years, we have opened our selection to include more creative industries - from visual artists and beauty brands to accessories and tattoo artists. We look for brands that have something unique to offer; something we can all be proud of as an industry."

Celebrating the industry

Sibeso further highlighted the power of collaboration, adding that last year, they collaborated with the Namibian Arts Association and hosted a three-day event - including a content creation workshop, the market itself and a self-care and pamper party.

“This year, we are hosting the event with Vinyls Music Cafe, as we share a common goal of celebrating and uplifting the Namibian creative industry.

“We have big plans, and we are excited to see how they unfold,” she said.

The event is scheduled to take place from 10:00 to 16:00, with performances by DJ Piezu, Loudima, The Yesterdaye and more. Entrance is N$30.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-24

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