Parrtjima - A Festival in Light returns to illuminate the Red Centre this Easter from 7-16 April 2023, with this year's music and talks program now released, including some of Australia's top indigenous performers.
With reggae, pop, rock, soul, RnB, hip hop, rap and plenty more on the line-up, Parrtjima visitors will experience a musical journey through different indigenous lands and languages across the 10 nights of the free festival.
From the high-energy performance of funk-reggae outfit the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and the soulful rock of Paul Ah Chee 'Ngala' to the unique sounds of Richard Frankland and the sensational talent of JK-47, there is music for all tastes.
A number of Australia's most prominent Aboriginal identities to discuss a range of topics as part of the talks program during the festival.
A series of In Conversation talks will allow visitors to hear from the likes of actor Steven Oliver, marathon hero Charlie Maher, media identity Naomi Moran, Aboriginal health researcher Roxanne Ngarulya Highfold, scientist Corey Tutt, and former Northern Territory Senator and Olympian Nova Peris.
The theme for this year's Parrtjima is Listening with Heart. Inspired by the artwork surrounding the Statement from the Heart, Listening with Heart embodies the concept of coming together, meeting and taking the time to contemplate and reflect. Under the guidance of artist Rene Kulitja, who led the group of artists that created the artwork, the stunning piece will be brought to life as a large-scale, immersive light installation.
The only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima features a full program of workshops, film, talks and more alongside the lively music line-up, with more details to be announced soon. To find out who else is on the music line-up, visit www.parrtjimaaustralia.com here
Quotes from Minister for Major Events, Paul Kirby:
"Each year Parrtjima takes us on a journey through First Nations art and culture, and this year we will be immersed in the world of the Anangu people of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands, as well as walk on the lands of the Arrernte people.
"This year's music program is visually stunning and offers so much more. Thousands will visit one of the most beautiful regions of the country, where they get to enjoy everything the festival and the Red Centre has to offer."
Quotes from Andrew Gurruwiwi from the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band:
"We are really looking forward to Parrtjima. We love playing for a home crowd and this is a great opportunity to rock the red dirt dance floor of Desert Park. Playing outside in front of the MacDonnell Ranges really is such a unique and amazing experience!"
Quotes from Roxanne Ngarulya Highfold:
"The thump of the feet on the red soil, red dust rising, singing against the wind, hearing the whispers of our ancestors, you know then this is Mparntwe."
Northern Territory Government
