Barunga Festival under threat over Covid-19 health concerns but decision yet to be made
The Barunga Festival, the iconic Northern Territory event celebrating the best of remote Indigenous Australia, is under threat due to the current Covid-19 safety concerns.
Northern Territory
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BARUNGA Festival, an iconic event celebrating the best of remote Indigenous Australia, is under threat due to the current COVID-19 safety concerns.
Speaking on ABC Darwin on Tuesday, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the chief health officer confirmed in a press conference on Monday the decision over Barunga was still pending after announcing the cancellation of Garma Festival.
“My understanding is the decision is not made (about whether the festival will go ahead),” he said.
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The much-loved Territory festival attracts a 4000-strong audience of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from all over who descend upon the small remote community to camp and take part in a program of music, sport, traditional arts and cultural activities over the three-day long weekend in June each year, welcomed by the traditional owners.
The concerns come after Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land, Australia’s premier forum for the discussion of Indigenous affairs, was cancelled on Monday due to COVID-19 safety concerns following the outbreak in Victoria.
The festival was also cancelled in 2020.
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