The Otjomuise Live Arts Festival (OLAF) returns for its fifth edition this year, promising to once again turn Windhoek into a vibrant stage for creativity, performance, and community connection. Taking place on 31 October and 1 November 2025 at Zoo Park, the free two-day festival invites the public to experience art beyond the traditional theatre — right in the heart of the city.
Produced by the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) and the Goethe-Institut Namibia, with support from the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN), OLAF continues to celebrate inclusivity and accessibility in the arts. Since its inception in 2021, the festival has challenged the boundaries of where and how art is experienced, bringing performances to public spaces such as parks, hills, and community streets across Windhoek.
This year’s theme, “A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through the Arts,” captures OLAF’s mission to nurture artistic growth and collaboration. Festival Co-Director Michelle Namases of the Goethe-Institut Namibia explains, “OLAF explores the idea of nurturing artists and planting the seeds of creativity that will eventually lead to a blossoming artistic scene in Windhoek.”
The 2025 line-up includes an exciting mix of performers such as Kula Rodrigues, Zingerwingz, Steven Afrikaner, Botselo, Lela & Band, One Blood NaJah, and more — each bringing their unique artistic flair to the city’s iconic green space.
For Nelago Shilongoh, Artistic Director at NTN, OLAF represents an important evolution in Namibia’s creative scene. “Programming public arts is important because it allows us to reach newer audiences and create alternative opportunities for artists outside of the traditional theatre setting,” she says.
With its focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and community engagement, OLAF has grown into a cornerstone of Namibia’s arts calendar. As the festival prepares to once again animate the streets of Windhoek, it continues to remind audiences that art is not confined to walls — it lives, breathes, and belongs to everyone.
OLAF 2025 is free and open to the public, taking place at Zoo Park on 31 October and 1 November 2025.
