The Salamanca Arts Centre's second annual Winter Light festival is yet another display of Hobart embracing the differences that make our city such a special place to live.
Hobart City Council's Community Culture and Events Committee Chair Dr Zelinda Sherlock said the festival celebrates the end of winter's long dark and the gradual move into spring, light and revitalisation.
"The City of Hobart is proud to be the sponsor of the Winter Light Opening Celebration, providing $9500 through a Creative Hobart medium grant to start the festival with a bang," Cr Sherlock said.
"Winter is a big part of living in Hobart, an aspect we have only started to embrace in recent times, but one now we are proud to own and celebrate.
"This festival is a true demonstration of that but also showcases and celebrates diversity and inclusion, highlighted by the Opening Celebration."
Curated by nipaluna/Hobart-based multi-dimensional artist Sharifah Emalia Al-Gadrie, the opening night features a cultural extravaganza, taking attendees from Japanese obon lanterns to classic Bollywood, and from a South Sudanese dancehall to a Latin-Jazz and salsa band.
Highlights include Salsita Kids, an intergenerational dance group conveying Latin American folklore stories, while participants will also be able to learn the obon dance underneath the lanterns, practised throughout Japan as part of the Obon Festival to commemorate and honour their ancestors.
The event concludes with a free ticketed after party to dance the night away with DJs L$F and Ari Eva.
The Winter Light Opening Celebration is in Salamanca Square on Thursday, August 11, starting at 5pm, while the festival runs until August 21.
