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Meet the Beetles in Grahamstown

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The Volkswagen AutoPavilion museum is calling all Bug lovers to come and ‘Meet the Beetles’ this week. The oldest Beetle, the last Beetle built in Uitenhage as well as the most beautiful Beetle are all on display at the National Arts Festival.

Nestled on the university lawns between Lucas Avenue and the Albany Museum, is the ,Meet the Beetles’ installation where six, carefully selected Volkswagen Beetles are on display at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

“The purpose of the installation is to provide festival goers with a taste of the treasures of Volkswagen’s museum, the AutoPavilion in Uitenhage. The Beetles each have a story which appeals to fans of the iconic “love bug” also crowned the “Car of the 20th Century”,” said Matt Gennrich, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) General Manager for Communications.

‘Meet the Beetles’ showcases Jan, the oldest Beetle in South Africa, film star Herbie, Delilah with her super low mileage, Jeroen the Mexican-built, Trans-Saharan Traveller from Amsterdam, Matti – the last Uitenhage-built Beetle and Nomhle the most beautiful Beetle with her bling!

The National Arts Festival which opened on Thursday, 28 June features a wide variety of performances and installations, including ,Meet the Beetles’ and its art installation.

Four of the six Beetles were positioned counter to the lay of the land with Delilah positioned on a popular thoroughfare ensuring that the public can walk around the ivory beauty with her fuchsia pink number plates. Jeroen the Beetle who travelled the length of the African continent has sidled up to an Acacia – the most African of trees. Central to the installation is Jan, the oldest Beetle in South Africa, placed carefully on ramps by the VWSA Product Engineering Team who assisted in positioning the valuable collection. Rounding off the setup is a collaborative artwork for kids of all ages – a classic hippie Beetle to be computed in using wax pastels. And to end every day is an illumination of the exhibits and T1 tents which glow into the evening enticing festival goers to a second visit.

‘Meet the Beetles’ runs for the duration of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. It is open 24 hours a day, but staff is on site to assist guests between 9am and 5pm. It is located on the university lawns between Lucas Avenue and the Albany Museum.

There is also unique branded merchandise on sale at the stand which includes winter favourites like beanies, scarves, gloves, hoodies, and much more.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.