‘We’re beyond happy to enjoy the diversity Dark Mofo brings,’ says petition supporting midwinter event in Hobart

A PETITION calling for an uncensored Dark Mofo festival to continue has attracted more than 6200 signatures as the popular midwinter event prepares to reach its fiery peak.

A PETITION calling for an uncensored Dark Mofo festival to continue has attracted more than 6200 signatures after the Hobart Lord Mayor said the event had crossed the line this year.

Alderman Ron Christie has come under attack from the public and some of his Hobart City Council colleagues for the timing of his comments on Thursday that the council may consider cutting funding from the midwinter festival, which ends tonight.

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The funding is up for review after this year’s festival as its three-year contract ends.

This year’s festival sparked anger from some Christian groups for its display of inverted crosses across the city and a depiction of the Last Supper on the Winter Feast website.

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One of the inverted red crosses on the Hobart waterfront for Dark Mofo. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

This attracted a change.org.au petition started by the Australian Christian Lobby in Brisbane which has more than 18,000 signatures calling for the festival’s controversial glowing inverted crosses to be removed.

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Ald Christie said he personally had concern with the future direction of the festival due to the amount of complaints received about the inverted and suggested it was time to question whether Dark Mofo was creating a healthy, or unhealthy culture, for Hobart.

One of the bathers lining up for the Nude Swim at Long Beach in Sandy Bay. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

The new petition started by Hobartian Diane Caney calls for the retention of Dark Mofo and for it to remain unfettered by the complaints of Christian groups.

“Many, many people from Hobart and beyond are very happy to enjoy the diversity that Dark Mofo brings with all its nuances.

“It delights with its joie de vivre, it brightens winter, it provokes discussion, and it puts Hobart on the map.

“Please retain Dark Mofo and do not subdue it through either censorship or reduced funding.

“We’ll probably only crowd fund it anyway, so … just listen to us, and retain the Dark Feasting as well.”

Revellers enjoying the laser installation at Dark Park. Picture: ALASTAIR BETT

Alderman Jeff Briscoe said Ald Christie’s comments about Dark Mofo festival put this wonderful festival under threat.

“He should go onto the streets and talk to the locals and visitors alike and on the way also talk to his fellow aldermen.

“They would say that this festival has given the city vibrancy during the winter months and brought visitors to our state.”