Bhekizizwe: Promoting diversity and understanding of immigration through opera

Robert Fokkens, Senior Lecturer in Composition at Cardiff University  

This event will be based around a showing of the film of Bhekizizwe, an operatic monodrama by Mkhululi Mabija (librettist) and Robert Fokkens (composer), produced by Opera’r Ddraig in 2021. The event will include a small interactive exhibition, the film showing, and a facilitated discussion around the themes of the piece, including immigration, diversity and racism, with a panel of three speakers. 

The event seeks to explore the key themes of the opera – immigration, racism, diversity – and to contribute to both public understanding and the development of a positive public conversation around these issues, particularly in the arts sector. 

This event is hosted in collaboration by Bangor and Cardiff Universities.