Troubled Alice Springs bouncing back with milestone festival

There’s no denying Alice Springs has had its troubles of late, and Paul Ah Chee isn’t attempting to.

Ah Chee is a Yankunytatjara, Wankangurru and Arrernte man from Alice Springs who has been engaged with the Northern Territory tourism industry across three decades.

Paul Ah Chee ahead of the Parrtjima Festival.Credit: Lisa Hatz Photography

He is forthright in his acknowledgement of the anti-social crime and unrest in Australia’s Red Centre, which he says is perpetrated by a small minority. But he knows the actions of this minority have affected the image of the Alice and deterred tourists.

“The anti-social behaviour has impacted quite significantly on Central Australia,” he says. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of trying to arrest that but I’m looking at how do we send out positive stories?”

Art is at least one way to do that.

Crowds enjoy Grounded featuring the work of Margaret Bloomfield. Credit: Parrtjima

In addition to being an accomplished arts administrator, Ah Chee is a renowned singer-songwriter and works alongside curator Rhoda Roberts on Parrtjima – A Festival of Light.

Set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025, Parrtjima (pronounced par-che-ma with emphasis on the “par”) kicks off in Alice Springs April 4 and runs for 10 days.

It’s a free event that packs a lot more punch than some paid festivals.

Primarily a light festival, Parrtjima 2025 will highlight the works of more than 20 First Nations artists across six major installations. These light displays are set against the 300-million-year-old Tjoritja/MacDonnell Ranges, and the starry night skies of the outback.

Tjoritja Cockatoos at Parrtjima. Credit: Parrtjima

This year, the installations will celebrate cultural continuity and storytelling, inspired by the 2025 festival theme of “timelessness”.

The MacDonnell Ranges Light Show for instance is a fusion of contemporary classical music and Arrernte language, paying tribute to deep spiritual connection to the land.

Parrtjima 2025 also includes workshops, offering festival-goers the chance to actively engage with diverse cultural traditions and artistic expressions.

Highlights include a watercolour painting session with art centre Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands, where participants can explore the renowned Hermannsburg style made famous by Central Australian art legend Albert Namatjira.

Nightly live musical performances and comedy shows include a free concert from Troy Cassar-Daley. There will be talks and in-conversation sessions with some of Australia’s most influential Indigenous voices.

The festival’s closing weekend will feature a ticketed performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.

Paul Ah Chee says law and order issues are a work in progress, but work is being done. He wants to assure visitors they will feel safe, adding people should not be put off coming to the 10th anniversary celebrations. “Parrtjima is a life-changing experience. There’s nothing else like it.”

See parrtjimaaustralia.com.au