Vitaal Makietie brings new energy to Taalmonument
Two-day festival celebrates culture, architecture, nature and fun
The Afrikaans Language Museum and Monument (ATM) is excited to present the Vitaal Makietie, a two-day celebration that brings together language, culture, music, lifestyle, adventure and community in a fresh and accessible way at the monument this spring.
The Makietie consists of the popular Choir Festival on FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER from 18:00 to 20:00 at the Amphitheatre and the activity-packed Annual Festival from 07:00 to 20:00 on SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2026 at the Taalmonument on the beautiful Paarl Mountain. Thanks to partnerships with The Rock Ultra (TRU), All Mountain Co., Spur and the Drakenstein Municipality, this unique event promises to be the first version of an annual event.
“The Vitaal Makietie is a new way to celebrate our anniversary (the monument was inaugurated in October 1975) and at the same time open the doors of the Language Monument even wider by attracting people of all ages to the Boland’s most famous cultural landmark,” says director Michael Jonas. “We want people to experience the ATM not only as a place of heritage and history, but also as a dynamic meeting place where people come together, have fun and create new memories. The word ‘vitaal’ alludes to the word language as an indispensable, vital source of life while the Afrikaans ‘makietie’ from the Sesotho word ‘mokete’ (festival) acknowledges the interaction between our African languages and our people.”
Although the Afrikaans language and cultural heritage forms the heart of the event, the aim is to create a platform where people from diverse backgrounds can come together and participate. The multilingual school choir festival on Friday, for example, offers schools a unique opportunity to share their love of music, build new contacts and celebrate the joy of choral singing with their families and interested parties.
On Saturday, there will be children’s entertainment and a cultural programme with well-known musicians and spoken word artists. Numerous stalls will offer delicious food, drinks and other items, with Spur as the main food partner on both days. ‘Is jy van jou trollie af?’ downhill carts, yoga, walks and an adventure hike will keep the more energetic happy. The latter is thanks to the ATM’s partnership with TRU and All Mountain Co., which brings together different worlds to create a modern event that combines professional standards with community involvement and family participation.
According to Mias de Klerk, TRU’s race director, it is enriching for him and their business to work with the Taalmonument team. “We believe in Afrikaans as a unifying force that brings together an incredible variety of interesting and diverse people,” he says. “We are also currently planning The Rock Ultra, an ultra-distance mountain race in December that will start and finish at the Language Monument, are already offering amazing walks and picnics from the monument in collaboration with Drakenstein’s Paarl Mountain management, and will soon be opening Potties Koffie & Deli at the monument.”
“We want to create something that feels vital, something that moves and lives,” adds Jonas: “A celebration with energy, character and a strong sense of togetherness.” The event also aligns with the ATM’s broader vision to position the Language Monument as a relevant and forward-thinking cultural institution, where heritage is presented in new and creative ways for current and future generations. The aim is to establish it as a sustainable annual event that attracts visitors from all over and thus supports tourism and local economic activity in the Paarl Valley and surrounding region.
“We hope that people come for the Vitaal Makietie, but leave with a greater appreciation for the place itself,” says Jonas. “We want them to discover that the Language Monument is indeed a living monument in line with the vision of the architect, Jan van Wijk. It is a place where people can meet, play, listen, learn, celebrate and be part of something bigger. We also have discounted tickets for people who support both days, so come and be part of this new tradition!”
Refreshments will be available for purchase and guests are asked to bring warm clothes for the evening. No own picnics or drinks are allowed.
🎟️ + ℹ️ Admission is only R120 per adult and R80 per learner for the Choir Festival on 9 OCTOBER and R150 per adult and R100 per learner for the Year Festival on 10 OCTOBER. For both days it is R250 per adult and R100 per learner. Tickets are available on quicket.co.za or at the gate. For more information, visit taalmuseum.co.za or contact Tancewill Jaftha at bemarking2@taalmuseum.co.za or 021 863 0543.
ℹ️ Follow Taalmonument and Taalmuseum’s unique events, concerts and courses via
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The website also offers virtual tours of the monument and museum, information in multiple languages regarding the symbolism of the Taalmonument as well as many interesting articles on Afrikaans, multilingualism and the institution’s past, present and future. There are also numerous resources for school and research projects.
👉 Annual permits are available at only R120 for individuals or R220 per family – includes unlimited access to the ATM, bistro, walking trails and full moon picnics. Call 021 872 3441.