Mona Foma: festival to return to dual city model in 2022, hosting events in Hobart and Launceston
Now a firm staple on Tasmania’s summer calendar, Mona Foma will return to a dual city model in 2022, hosting events across both Hobart and Launceston. SNEAK PEEK >>
Tasmania
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Mona Foma will continue to captivate audiences in Hobart and Launceston for the next three years, having secured a new $6.9 million funding agreement with the state government.
The Mercury can reveal that the eclectic music and art festival will host events in both cities every January until at least 2024.
Tasmania’s borders will open to the entire country on December 15, meaning mainlanders will be able to flock to the wildly popular festival in early 2022.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, Mona Foma organisers are confident they can deliver two consecutive weekends of subversive fun in both the north and south for the second year running.
The festival will take over Launceston on the weekend of January 21-23, before moving to Hobart the following weekend (January 28-30).
Mona Foma artistic director Brian Ritchie said delivering a festival in two cities earlier this year “felt like nothing less than a miracle”.
“Come January 2022 we’ll do it again and promise another festive burst of euphoria and unforgettable moments,” he said.
“Our team is working on strange new venues, indefatigable creativity, cultivation of powerful talent and the unpredictable.”
Tourism, Hospitality and Events Minister Sarah Courtney said she was “delighted” to announce the new funding deal.
“Mona Foma showcases Tasmania’s fine creative industries, contributes to our state’s cultural fabric and provides a massive economic boost into the local economy,” she said.
“It fosters a great sense of community spirit, and sees Tasmania light up with unique events, performances and art installations at various venues in Hobart and Launceston.”
The 2021 iteration of the festival was billed as a “hyperlocal Tasmanian celebration”, as border restrictions made booking interstate and international acts extremely difficult.
In 2022, however, organisers say artists and punters from “further afield” will be welcomed into the fold, so long as public health authorities permit it.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, John Cale, PJ Harvey, and David Byrne and St. Vincent are among the artists to have performed at Mona Foma in previous years.
The full program for the 2022 festival will be announced on December 3. Tickets go on sale on December 6.
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