17th–20th centuries
The island was used at different times for banishment, isolation, and imprisonment.
Timeline
Historical Context
Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over injustice. This festival honours that history with care and factual context.
1960s–1990s
During apartheid, political prisoners transformed incarceration conditions into spaces of study and resistance.
1999
UNESCO inscribed Robben Island as a World Heritage Site.
Today
Robben Island remains a place of remembrance, learning, dialogue, and ethical reflection.
Editorial Note
Historical sections are reviewed with partner institutions to ensure respectful language and contextual accuracy.
Reference source: UNESCO World Heritage Listing (Robben Island)