South East Arts and Twofold Aboriginal Corporation are excited to announce the next Giiyong Festival will be held on September 19, 2020 at Jigamy, near Eden on the Sapphire Coast of NSW.
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In 2018, Giiyong Festival was the first Aboriginal arts and cultural festival in the south-east region of NSW and a hugely successful event. The festival featured over 100 Aboriginal musicians, dancers, singers, writers and presenters, ranging from professional acts to community groups.
Headline acts in 2018 including Baker Boy, Benny Walker, Frank Yamma Dallas Woods and No Fixed Address. They were joined by many of the region's local creative talent, as well as authors and speakers from around Australia including internationally-recognised Bruce Pascoe and Ali Cobby Eckerman. This free, family-friendly, all-ages, alcohol free event welcomed 6000 people and included an arts market and exhibition, traditional foods, film and dance.
Giiyong Festival provided an important platform for the Aboriginal community locally and nationally to showcase their culture and have their voices heard and respected. The festival was a celebration of culture and community.
"We are excited to start work on the next Giiyong Festival," Twofold Aboriginal Corporation's CEO Chris Bird said.
"The last festival was an amazing event that really brought people together. Twofold are looking forward to working again with South East Arts to pull off a huge celebration in 2020."
Andrew Gray, general manager of South East Arts said that, as the regional arts development organisation for Eurobodalla, Bega Valley and Snowy Monaro, they will continue their work with Aboriginal artists, musicians, dancers, authors and performers around the region, in the lead up to next year's event.
PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Giiyong 2018 celebrates diverse, enduring cultures
"One of the key features of Giiyong Festival is the opportunity for local Aboriginal artists and performers to showcase their work. There are so many talented people living in our community," he said.
"Performers like Gabadoo, Sassi Nuyum and Nikai Stewart and artists like Cheryl Davison, Natalie Bateman, Allison Simpson and Lee Cruse are just some of the individuals producing top quality work that tells a story and needs to be shared," Mr Gray said.
"The work South East Arts does in the lead up to the festival will include community development projects to support the sharing of traditional language and building creative business skills," he said.
Giiyong Festival comes about through personal donations, sponsorship and funding. South East Arts has already commenced their fundraising campaign. You can support their work in Aboriginal arts and cultural development across the SE NSW region, heading towards Giiyong 2020, by making a tax deductible donation online. To find out more and donate now go to www.southeastarts.org.au
