Festival aims to change the world
ONE of the driving forces behind the Commonwealth Games arts festival says the program is a chance to “effect positive change in the world”.
The Festival 2018 program was launched yesterday with performances including a haka by Maori arts group Turanga Ake and a musical number from Spirit of Churaki, a concert honouring the Gold Coast’s first lifesaver.
The Festival 2018 program of more than 500 events includes a ‘Children’s Republic’ workshop and a ‘Truth to Power Cafe’ as well as performances by well-known musicians such as Amy Shark and Troy CassarDaley.
Co-creative director Yaron Lifschitz said the events on the Festival 2018 program were designed around themes of ‘encounters’, ‘change’ and ‘aspire’.
“Encounters in which we meet the world, change in which we effect positive change in the world and aspire, in which we uplift and
transform ourselves and those around us,” he said.
“A festival is a chance to create a new world – one that builds on the values and aspirations of your existing world but also addresses its challenges, redresses its inequalities and extends its triumphs.”
Also among the events promised are a puppet show featuring ‘octogenarian’ puppets Agnes and Earl and their dog, a celebration of LGBTQI pride in Surfers Paradise called Sparkle in the Sand and a tent embassy installation which has been described as “a public space for imagining and articulating alternate futures and reflecting on or retelling stories of oppression and displacement”.
Festival 2018 performances and activities – including 35 world premieres and 15 Australian premieres – will play 28 places across the Gold Coast from Coomera to Coolangatta, including two main festival sites in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
Mayor Tom Tate encouraged locals to “get out there” and be part of the action.
“Festival 2018 Gold Coast is a cultural revolution,” Cr Tate said.
“This really is our moment in the sun.”
Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the festival would be one of the most memorable arts celebrations staged in Queensland.
“We are proud to present more than 500 arts events across the state, showcasing our creativity to visitors from around the world,” she said.
“We’re thrilled to announce that half of these events have been created by talented Queensland artists.”