From tomorrow night, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light will illuminate the Northern Territory’s ancient MacDonnell Ranges and the red sand at Alice Springs Desert Park over a jam-packed 10 nights.
Held in Alice Springs (Mparntwe) since 2016, Parrtjima is an annual free festival that will feature, for the first time, a single major work as its centrepiece, along with other large-scale light and sound installations, music, talks, workshops, film and more.
The theme for this year’s Parrtjima is Listening with Heart, which is inspired by the artwork surrounding the Statement from the Heart and embodies the concept of coming together, meeting and taking time to contemplate and reflect.
Parrtjima is delivered by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and is produced by Creative Directors AGB Events.
Highlights of opening weekend include a memorable Welcome to Country and performance by The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band on Friday night, followed by talks with Steven Oliver and Richard Frankland on Saturday evening, and live music from Radical Son.
Charlie Maher, the first Indigenous Australian man to finish all six major marathons in the world, joins the Sunday talks program, as do Mutitjulu artists Rene Kulitja, Charmaine Kulitja and Christine Brumby. These artists created the artwork surrounding the Statement from the Heart, which has inspired this year’s star attraction.
The workshops and demonstration program will be in full swing from Monday, starting with the Warlukurlangu Artists and Maruku Arts. The Hermannsburg Potters join the program on Tuesday.
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