Ringing in a centenary of Africa’s only carillon musical instrument
30 April 2025
This week marks the 100-year anniversary of the inauguration of the City Hall carillon, a musical instrument consisting of a set of at least 23 bells played with a keyboard and pedals.
The Cape Town City Hall is home to the largest carillon in Africa, with 39 bells, and the only one with a mechanically-playable console.
‘The carillon was inaugurated on 30 April 1925 to commemorate the approximately 12 500 South African soldiers who gave their lives in World War I. The bells bear the names of places where the soldiers served such as France, Egypt, East Africa and Palestine. It gives me great pride that our iconic City Hall, which is carefully maintained by our Strategic Assets Department within the Economic Growth Directorate, is home to such a remarkable feature that is unique to our continent,’ said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth.
This past weekend, the City Hall played host to the annual Last Night of the Proms charity concert hosted by the Rotary Club of Wynberg. Funds from this year’s show went to Victoria Hospital, the Friends of Orchestral Music and a planned new hospice for children.The carillon was included in the event programme, featuring daring pieces such as the 1812 Overture by Russian composer, Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Capetonians will have an opportunity to learn more about this iconic instrument of history with an exhibition created by the City’s Arts and Culture Department. This show will be on view at the Attic Exhibition within City Hall, with plans for it to travel thereafter to other City facilities. The exhibition will share information and images of this fascinating instrument, and give insight into its historical context and importance to Cape Town. The exhibition is set to open on 19 May 2025.
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Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
