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Starting tomorrow, Parrtjima - A Festival in Light returns to Mparntwe, Alice Springs, for 10 nights, with thousands of people registered to attend the free festival of Aboriginal culture - featuring light, art, music, workshops, talks, film and more.

Hotels are booked out, hire cars are hard to find, and the town is buzzing with anticipation for the astonishing large-scale light installations and MacDonnell Ranges lightshow. The program includes a slew of Aboriginal artists, performers and experts. Opening weekend includes hit East Arnhem band King Stingray performing tomorrow night, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks on the bill for Saturday, and Ray Ray McKenzie and Tilly Tjala Thomas on stage on Sunday.

Workshops over the next few days include screen printing with House of Darwin, pottery with the Hermannsburg Potters and seed jewellery making with the Ikuntji Artists. Those taking part in the talks and panel program include journalist Narelda Jacobs and indigenous water science and Associate Professor Bradley Moggridge, who will discuss how ancient knowledge systems of Sky Country can inform current climate policy.

Sky Country is the theme of this year’s Parrtjima, and focuses on our place in the universe and the relationship First Nations people have with the environment.

Northern Territory Minister for Major Events Natasha Fyles notes “Parrtjima is an event unlike any other. It is a unique combination of music, workshops, talks, film and more wrapped around a brightly shining centrepiece – the incredible large-scale light installations and the stunning MacDonnell Ranges lightshow.

“The lightshow literally turns a huge section of the Ranges into a natural canvas, with stunning effect, and people travel from all over Australia to see this wonder for themselves. But Parrtjima is much more than a lightshow. This cherished festival continues to grow and develop, offering more reasons for visitors to travel here and more reasons to stay.

“So register now and head along to Alice Springs Desert Park for a memorable night under the Red Centre’s expansive, star-studded skies.”

AGB First Nations Adviser and Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts adds “This year’s thematic focuses on our place in the universe and explores First Nations people and their relationship with the environment. As the country opens up it’s a time to take your next experience and discover a place that makes you feel alive with the celebration of an ancient culture. We know of the connection to country, but here you’ll learn about the stories of the Arrernte sky, that is so big and vast you’re reminded of your place in the cosmos.”

Parrtjima runs from 8th-17th April 2022. Register to attend for free at www.parrtjima.com.au

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