Parrtjima clocks 9000 visits just halfway through 10-day Alice Springs festival

PARRTJIMA — A Festival in Light has clocked up about 9000 visits just five days into the already succesful program

• Alice Springs lights up for Parrtjima

THERE has been almost 9000 attendances so far at Parrtjima – A Festival in Light in Alice Springs, with five successful nights clocked up and a further five to go.

The only Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima showcases the Red Centre’s ancient Aboriginal culture through the newest technologies.

Highlights, apart from the impressive illuminations and light installations at Alice Springs Desert Park, have included Deep Listening talks with Tracey Holmes and Stan Grant, a watercolour painting workshop with artists from the Namatjira School of Arts, and a live cooking demonstration with renowned chef Mark Olive and Kungkas Can Cook founder Rayleen Brown.

There has been almost 9000 attendances so far at Parrtjima – A Festival in Light in Alice Springs, with five successful nights clocked up and a further five to go

The art class saw some unearth a new skill, while others were happy to chat to the artists and learn more about Aboriginal culture.

In the cooking demo, Mark and Rayleen showed an eager audience how native bushfoods can be used in everyday cooking.

MORE NEWS

BOM forecasts humid conditions for Top End, thunderstorms and rain for south over week ahead

Care packages, takeaway food to be banned from quarantine facility after drug bust

Two men face court over alleged serious assault in Alice Springs

All events on the Parrtjimam program are now taking place at Desert Park.

The move means an increase in capacity, and more than 2500 people who were on a waitlist for the workshops, music sessions and Deep Listening talks can now attend.

Parrtjima will return from 9-18 April 2021.

NT Major Events Company CEO, Tim Watsford said, “In a year when nothing is certain, having more than 9000 visits to the festival is great news for the event, and for Alice Springs businesses.

There has been almost 9000 attendances already at Parrtjima – A Festival in Light in just its first five nights

“There are another five nights to go, with plenty more on the agenda, including another cooking demonstration today, some incredible Territory musicians on stage and the final talks in the Deep Listening series.

“This has been a difficult year for many, with events few and far between. We are thankful for the support shown to Parrtjima by the Alice Springs community, and the many visitors who have attended and are keen to learn more about the Red Centre’s Aboriginal culture.”

Parrtjima Curator and First Nations Adviser, Rhoda Roberts said to see audiences emotionally moved by the Ranges light show shows there is an appetite for this sort of experience.

CENTRALIAN ADVOCATE digital subscription offer: Full digital access for just $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

“There is a recognition that Aboriginal culture is our advantage, a unique point of difference and of national value.

“Our visitors want to learn more about the incredible large-scale installations, our cultures, and the knowledge that is so generously passed on by our custodians and cultural guides.

“All this is why Parrtjima is transformative, uplifting and shines a light on the oldest living, adapting culture on the planet.”

Follow @jasmineaburke