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Perths fabulous festival
2007 Perth International Arts Festival
A ‘free and easy’ focus for an international Arts Celebration
The festival staff’s cramped quarters in Crawley are filled with artistic energy during the lead up to the big event. Everyone’s juggling enormous workloads to impossible deadlines – all with the good humour of those lucky enough to have a passion for their work.
Perth Festival’s General Manager Julian Donaldson, is one of those who is indeed passionate about the role of the Arts and the Festival’s place in our community.
“The arts provide a balancing effect for people. Arts are a nourishing and enriching experience, an opportunity to reflect on issues. It’s a chance for people to be taken out of their day to day issues and engage in bigger thoughts.”
With a contribution of $4.16 million in 2007, Lotterywest is the Festival’s most significant grantor, providing a basis from which the festival can deliver a program that is the premier arts event for Western Australia.
“Thanks to Lotterywest, we’re well resourced to bring the best of the arts on offer around the world to the people of Western Australia!” Julian adds.
Recognising the benefits for West Australians in playing host to an international arts Festival, it is specified through The Lotteries Commission Act (1990) that up to 5% of all Lotterywest product sales (after prizes have been paid) be allocated to the Perth Festival.
It means that every time you play a Lotterywest game, you’re supporting an international arts event right here in Perth!
Lotterywest’s long-term Festival support has a particular focus on the following free family events.
The Lotterywest Festival Overture will feature an animated film premiere of Peter and the Wolf by Breakthru Films accompanied by Sergei Prokofiev’s live score played by the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Held on February 9, 2007 in the Supreme Court Gardens, a massed choir will also sing a newly scored ‘welcome to country’ by WA composer, Iain Grandage, joining in with a traditional Noongar welcome.
The Lotterywest Festival Finale on March 3, 2007, is a celebration of not only the festival, but also of desert cultures reflecting the 2007 Festival’s regional focus. The performance features two major world music performers, Etran Finatawa from Niger and superstars Habib Koité and Bamada from Mali. Also in celebration of the desert focus of the 2007 Festival, a special Lotterywest grant to the Ngaanyatjarra Lands will enable members of that Indigenous community to perform rare and unique dances from their stories and culture for the people of Perth in the beautiful surrounds of the Sunken Gardens at UWA.
Lotterywest’s support of the festival also enables the Festival Film season at both the Pines in Joondalup and the Somerville.
Julian encourages all West Australians to participate in the Festival.
“This year we’ve developed a number of initiatives to make the program more accessible including the new ‘Find your path through the Festival’ planner in Perth Festival’s festival brochure, allowing people to plan their festival experience according to their areas of interest.”
According to Julian, the most significant thing about Perth’s own International Arts Festival, and why the Lotterywest partnership fits so well, is its desire to reflect the unique West Australian identity.
“We are showcasing the highest quality international art, but also a strong personality of our state through the program. We have a strong regional and indigenous component and we’re also partnering with arts and community organisations to bring a ‘local’ voice into an international arts program.
“For example, we have about 1,000 people from local choirs participating in the Lotterywest Festival Overture and are inviting people to participate in building a ‘giant bamboo curtain’ called ‘Bambuco’.
“By buying (or borrowing) and reading the festival’s ‘One Book’ (Markus Zusak’s ‘The Book Thief’) people can also become part of the state’s biggest book club – all for free!”, says Julian enthusiastically.
Pressed for his ‘pick of the Festival’ Julian finds it difficult to pinpoint;
“Oh there’s lots in there – but I’d have to say Shakespeare… and War Requiem, Circus OZ and the Opera, Lotterywest Festival Films…….
“This is why we are different! There’s all these marvellous events that come along and interrupt your life in Perth in the most fantastic way!”
Perth – prepare to be interrupted!
The Perth International Arts Festival runs from Febuary 9 – March 4, 2007. For more information log on to www.perthfestival.com.au