Yothu Yindi Foundation announces Garma Festival to return this year, with ‘strict caps’ on crowd numbers

THE Garma Festival will go ahead in 2021, its organisers have announced, but it is set to be a very different event

THE Garma Festival will go ahead in 2021, its organisers have announced, but it is set to be a very different look event with a crowd cap and other COVID-19 safety measures in place to protect remote community residents.

The Yothu Yindi Foundation (YYF) revealed on Tuesday that Australia’s largest Indigenous cultural festival, held annually in northeast Arnhem Land, would return on July 30-August 2 at Gulkula, after the 2020 event was cancelled due to concerns around the coronavirus pandemic.

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While the YYF is yet to submit a formal COVID-19 safety plan to government, chief executive Denise Bowden said this year’s festival would include caps on ticket sales, reduced accommodation capacity and possibly some events run online.

She said the measures were designed to limit the number of people travelling to Arnhem Land from interstate.

“Unfortunately, we have no choice but to limit the number of tickets available for general admission and corporate guests, as there will be reduced capacity on site to accommodate COVID compliance measures,” she said.

A dancer during the opening ceremony of Garma Festival 2019. Picture: Teagan Glenane

“Strict caps will be in place on all ticket types except community passes, so organisers can ensure the health and safety of all attendees. Organisers have not revealed what ticket sales cap will be.

The Garma Festival typically attracts 3000 people from across Australia, including many from remote Aboriginal communities as well as major capital cities.

A young dancer during the opening ceremony of Garma Festival 2019. Picture: Melanie Faith Dove

However, Mrs Bowden said organisers were confident the measures they would be putting in place at this year’s festival would prevent any potential spread of coronavirus.

“The health and safety of our people and our communities is the number one priority as we plan for this year’s event,” she said.

“YYF is preparing for every possible contingency, and we proceed with an abundance of caution while the pandemic threat remains.

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“We’re consulting with the relevant authorities and agencies as we develop a comprehensive COVID- safe plan, and we look forward to sharing more details of that in the weeks ahead.” Tickets will go on sale Wednesday.