Parrtjima to celebrate culture, Statement of the Heart in Alice Springs

Parrtjima curator Rhoda Roberts says this year’s event will provide a platform for ‘uncomfortable truths’, with the 10-day light festival centred around the Statement of the Heart.

Parrtjima has returned to the Red Centre for a 10 day Festival of Light, this year with a more political theme than ever before.

Parrtjima curator Rhoda Roberts, a Widjabul Wiyebal woman from the Bundjalung territories, said this year’s event was centred around the Uluru Statement of the Heart, with the theme of Listening with Heart.

“We are always aware of what we do with the thematic, and if you look at the state of the nation and the discussions everyone is having with the referendum, we looked at something that could be associated, so we could provide a platform for those uncomfortable truths,” she said.

“As Aboriginal people we are taught to listen deeply, and so Listening with Heart is making sure that you are open and that you are listening deeply to the stories that are provided by the artists.”

Ms Roberts said the major art installation at this years Parrtjima is based around retelling the story of the art work surrounding the Statement of the Heart through lights.

Ms Roberts said the major installation this year was from a series of artists from Mutitjulu, the Indigenous community at the base of Uluru.

“Around the Statement of the Heart there is artwork that is done by these ladies at Mutitjulu, and they wanted to frame that statement to tell the story of Uluru,” she said.

“Christine Brumby and Rene Kulitja designed the frame to tell the story of Kuniya, the python woman, and that side of the story.

“That main installation is retelling that story through lights, you get that main picture around the statement and then you can walk through it and really feel it.”

Ms Roberts said this year’s event in particular was about celebrating culture and young people, particularly considering the negativity currently surrounding Alice Springs.

Parrtjima light festival in 2022. This year, Ms Roberts said the light show was about providing a platform to talk about ‘uncomfortable truths’. Picture: supplied.

“Our hosts, the three estates of Mparntwe Alice Springs led by traditional custodian Benedict Stevens, proudly host this on the country,” she said.

“And they really wanted to show people this year that Arrernte people take pride in culture, that’s their first priority, that’s who they are.

“Like every community they face issues, but this is a celebration of culture, this is a celebration of pride, empowerment and hope.

“That was so important to them, particularly with the coverage they have received in this region earlier in the year.”

Ms Roberts said Parrtjima had employed 30 young Indigenous people from Alice Springs to work as guest services during the festival.

“The first thing you will see when you arrive at Parrtjima is young, amazing, optimistic, positive, young Aboriginal people, who are proudly upright with their culture,” she said.

“You don’t get to see that, and that is the majority, they are the change for tomorrow in communities like this.”

Ms Roberts hoped visitors could take away with them a sense of hope and understanding about the importance of culture and language to Indigenous people.

She said she hoped people would be blown away by the vast array of artists, from young to elderly, both displayed in the lightshow and singing songs in language.

“If Australians can take that away with them, understanding that this was outlawed in this country, the classics that we wrote and sang about was outlawed, and that we’ve revived that.”

The opening night will kick off with a Welcome to Country and performance by The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, followed by talks with Steven Oliver and Richard J. Frankland and live music by Radical Son on Saturday night.

Parrtjima will continue with nightly events until Sunday, April 16.