Details of next Parrtjima revealed as Chief Minister hails festival’s multimillion dollar economic boost
The next Parrtjima festival will take visitors on a journey through the lands surrounding Australia’s most iconic landmark while injecting millions into our economy.
Northern Territory
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The Red Centre will again light up in a blaze of colour next year with the return of the popular Parrtjima: A Festival in Light, following the successful 2022 event.
Registrations are now open for the festival in Alice Springs in April after Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said this year’s festivities injected more than $14m into the Territory economy.
The theme for 2023 is Listening with Heart and is inspired by the artwork surrounding the Uluru Statement from the Heart, embodying the concept of coming together, meeting and taking the time to contemplate and reflect.
Created by a group of artists from Multijulu, led by Maruku artist Rene Kulitja, the centrepiece for next year’s festival depicts Uluru-Ku Tjukurrpa (The Uluru Story of Connection).
Ms Kulitja will work alongside a number of other artists to bring the stunning piece to life as a large-scale immersive light and sound installation.
As the centrepiece of Parrtjima 2023, the installation will immerse visitors in the world of the Aṉangu people of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands surrounding Uluru. The work will showcase the ancient songlines and Indigenous perspectives of what country means, including learning to walk together while listening to First Peoples’ deep connection and philosophy of land, water and sky country.
In announcing next year’s theme on Monday, Ms Fyles said the ‘Listening with the Heart’ theme encapsulated “the essence of the Red Centre”.
“Residents enjoy time under the stars catching up with friends, while visitors make the most of their trip by seeing and experiencing as much as possible,” she said.
“This year’s event injected $14.7 ming in to the Territory, this includes (patrons) spending money with hotel, tourism, hospitality and retail operators.
“There is also the flow-on effect, with Aboriginal artists experiencing a surge in interest in their work, and secondary businesses, such as food wholesalers, also benefiting from an influx of people.”
Parrtjima curator Rhoda Roberts said the festival was part of a growing appreciation throughout Australia for the country’s “incredibly unique” First Nations’ culture.
“We are the oldest living, adapting culture,” she said.
“The installation at the heart of Parrtjima 2023 will take guests on a journey through the lands surrounding Uluru.
“The installation will remind people of the eons of oral storytelling and the story of Kuniya and Liru that shaped the landscape of Uluru through art.”
Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said an independent evaluation had shown 81 per cent of the $14.7m generated by this year’s festival was “new money to the region”.
For more information or to register for the 2023 event visit https://parrtjimaaustralia.com.au
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Originally published as Details of next Parrtjima revealed as Chief Minister hails festival’s multimillion dollar economic boost
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