South Africa

One of Larry's several projects while in South Africa in September 2000 was to facilitate a creative writing workshop with 30 students, migrant workers and union stewards, from the Workers College in Durban. In the course of the two hour workshop students wrote a collective poem entitled "What is Freedom?" (excerpts):

What is Freedom?

Freedom is to own your own land
To practice your culture, customs, and traditions
without interference
Because culture is dynamic
It is your identity, your beliefs, your traditions
Without culture there is no freedom.

Freedom is culture
Culture is freedom.

Be you Xulu, Islamic,
Christian, Jewish or Hindu
We are all human.

Larry was also studied the indigenous musical traditions called Isigathamiya through the South African Traditional Music Organization. This tradition was made popular through Paul Simon's recording, "Graceland."

Larry also worked with youth choirs from the townships of St. Wendolin's and Salem in preparation for two performances at the Awesome Africa Festival at the Swanimi Reserve. Awesome Africa features popular and traditional singers throughout the continent of Africa in which over 10,000 people attend. Larry collaborated with the local Xulu communities to celebrate local indigenous culture.

At St. Wendolin's he worked with the Izigi Arts and Culture organization. Izigi is a Zulu word meaning "foot steps." South Africans, in particular Zulus, create most of their traditional music through the rhythm of walking; the footsteps, IZIGI. IZIGI has a powerful volunteer based youth choir that numbers from 20-40 singers ranging in ages from 15-18.

In Salem Larry worked with students from 9-12 years of age in a choir of over 60 children. Larry and the children of Salem opened for the Awesome Africa Festival on the main stage, and the Izigi Youth Choir performed a one-hour show with Larry for several hundred people the following day.