by Gerrit Bester
Prof Chats Devroop's commitment to exploring the intersections of music and culture, as well as his dedication to building bridges between institutions, exemplify the importance of international cooperation in the Arts.
Prof Devroop, who is a Research Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Design, renowned musicologist and performer, has just returned from a research engagement in Europe where he made a significant contribution to the discussion on cultural relations between Switzerland and South Africa at the Bern Academy of the Arts – University of Basel Swiss-South African 1948-1994 Cultural Relations conference, among others.
His research paper at the latter focused on the Swiss sojourn of Shalati Joseph Khosa, a late South African choral composer, shedding light on the connections and influences that underpinned this cultural exchange.
Prof Devroop's presentation was well received by attendees and highlighted the importance of understanding the impact of cross-cultural exchange on music and the Arts.
In addition to contributing to the conference, Prof Devroop also seized the opportunity to visit the Arts Precinct in Bonn (a city that lives up to its reputation as one of Germany's finest centres for art) and establish connections with the ArtEZ Conservatorium in Enschede, Netherlands.
"The Bonn Precinct provides Pretoria with an excellent muster for how a global city can lead the way artistically," says Prof Devroop.
The ArtEZ Conservatorium is known for its innovative and collaborative approach to Arts education and Arts Therapy, and the links forged by Prof Devroop may lead to exciting new opportunities for international collaboration in the future.
Prof Chats Devroop, Research Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Design, photographed at the Bern Academy of the Arts – University of Basel Swiss-South African 1948-1994 Cultural Relations conference.
The ArtEZ University of Arts in Enchede, Netherlands.
The Bonn Arts precinct.
Outside the Basler Afrika Bibliographien Publishing House which has been publishing scholarly works on Southern Africa since 1971.