First Nations Telegraph

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light returns to illuminate the Red Centre in April in more ways than one, with some of Australia’s most prominent Aboriginal identities set to participate in the In Conversation talks program, where a range of topics, from science and sport to literature and The Voice, will be discussed.

From 7-16 April 2023, the free 10-night festival will light up the night sky above Alice Springs Desert Park (ASDP), while on the ground 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, scientist Corey Tutt, and former Northern Territory Senator and Olympian Nova Peris.

Musicians Richard Frankland, KAIIT and Paul Ah Chee will also feature in the talks program, as well as perform during the festival.

Parrtjima is delivered by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory
Major Events Company (NTMEC) and is produced by Creative Directors AGB Events. 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, reflect and heal.

NTMEC CEO Suzana Bishop said artist Rene Kulitja, who led the group of artists who created the Statement from the Heart artwork, will also take part in the In Conversation program, hosted by Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO.

“Parrtjima this year will once again deliver a jam packed line-up of music and talks from some of Australia’s leading Indigenous voices.

“The In Conversation program is just one part of this festival, which has something for
everyone. Each year Parrtjima attracts thousands of people to one of the most beautiful
regions of the country, where they get to enjoy everything the festival and the Red Centre
has to offer, while their visit supports local businesses and the economy.

“Last year that support generated a total expenditure stimulus of $14.7 million for the
Territory, and Parrtjima was responsible for almost 35,000 visitor nights,” Bishop said.

Roxanne Ngarulya Highfold, an Aboriginal health researcher who has worked with numerous organisations, including Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and Central Land Council, will take part in a talk on Tuesday, 11 April on the topic of ‘The spirit of Alice’.

"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,” she said.

Parrtjima favourites also return this year, with the MacDonnell Ranges lightshow to light up
the 300-million-year-old landmark as a natural canvas, and Grounded installation to animate mthe red dirt at Alice Springs Desert Park.

To help visitors get the most from their trip to Parrtjima, NTMEC has partnered with Travel
Associates to create boutique Red Centre experiences. Combining festival highlights with
some of the region’s most iconic tourism offerings, packages include a special Parrtjima
Preview Night, a Painting Tour at Hermannsburg Historic Precinct, a Nocturnal Encounter at Alice Springs Desert Park and an insight into bush foods on the Merne Tour.

The only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima features a full program, with
music and talks already announced, and details of workshops and films coming soon. To find out what else will be on, or to register for the event, visit parrtjimaaustralia.com.au