Carols by Candlelight and Ballet in the Saddle

An annual tradition in South Africa at Christmas time is a night of Carols by Candlelight. They happen all over the country from late November through December.

In Joburg, you have your choice of venues.

• Churches such as Bryanston's New Life Church; 
• gardens, for example Garden World and the Walter Sisulu National Botanic Gardens; 
• concert spaces like the Montecasino Piazza with Gareth Cliff leading an ensemble of performers with his festive "Cliffmas Carols;" 
• Around the Tree of Life at the Johannesburg Zoo; 
• or the venue we chose, the Lipizzaner Centre in Kyalami. 

Carols by Candlelight led by the Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa and accompanied by ballet in the saddle to be exact. A unique pairing. I had been eager to see the Lipizzan stallions perform here in South Africa so why not at Christmas time?






The  Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the home of classical horsemanship or dressage. Its roots date back to the 1500s when the Austrian monarchy founded a riding school for members of the royal family and aristocrats. The school derives its name from a noble breed of horses sent over from the Iberian Peninsula in the 16th century that serves as the genetic base for its world-famous white Lipizzan stallions. They are a must-see when visiting Vienna. And I did.

In 1944 a select few Lipizzaners were rescued from war-torn Austria and brought to South Africa by Count Jankovich-Besan. The stallions at Kyalami are direct descendants of those horses and their predecessors. The South African Lipizzaners have earned the honor of being the only performing Lipizzaners outside Vienna recognized by and affiliated with the Spanish Riding School and a close association is maintained between the two establishments.
 
For more history on the Lipizzzaners in South Africa, follow this link:  History of the South African Lipizzaner

The manger scene included a rare breed of South African cow.

As it was the night after the passing of Nelson Mandela, we stood for a minute of silence and the singing of the South African national anthem in his honor.

Photo opp with a couple of the riders before the show. Merry Christmas!

PS Coincidentally my neighbors Pat and John were hosting one of the Welsh Male Choir members for lunch the next day. They invited Vince and me over to meet him. I asked him to autograph my program and he said I was his first groupie! I doubt it.