Image – courtesy of Parrtjima Festival.

A Festival of Light in Australia’s Red Centre

Introducing Parrtjima, the First Nations light festival in Alice Springs – Mparntwe from April 5th– 14th, featuring an illuminating line-up.

Writer
Miriam McGarry
3rd of April 2019

Parrtjima – A Festival of Light opens Friday, April 5th in Alice Springs – Mparntwe, as a celebration of the stories, sounds, and rhythms of Central Australia. The free (!) ten-day program is curated by renowned First Nations creative director Rhonda Roberts AO, who has brought together music, light installations, and interactive artworks to showcase some of the oldest continuous cultures of Earth in the home of Arrente people.

Large-scale light installations will be displayed against the rolling backdrop of the MacDonnell ranges, and 2019 Young Australian of the year Baker Boy will bring his high energy performance to the stage. The Arnhem Land born rapper mixes English and Yolngu Matha language in his distinctive and beloved music.

The installations and light shows demonstrate the diversity of artist practices and celebrate a strong and ongoing connection to country. Rhoda Roberts highlights ‘festival guests can expect to be spellbound and witness the unexpected, and I hope many can join us in the heart of the nation as we explore the oldest living art practices through a new lens.’

Enter the festival through an illuminated tunnel, let the kids get lost in an oversized maze, and watch two kilometers of the MacDonnell Ranges unfold as a canvas of light with accompanying voiceover from actor Aaron Pedersen taking visitors on a journey through Country, the kinship system and language.

Parrtjima – A Festival of Light
Alice Springs – Mparntwe
April 5th – 14th

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