Page 969 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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MS CHEYNE: Can the minister please update the Assembly on some of the associated government-funded events that were part of this festival?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the supplementary question. The Canberra Day long weekend in the middle of the Enlighten festival offered something for everyone to go out to to celebrate our pride in our city.
For those who were game to get up with the birds, the Balloon Spectacular had a slightly damp start on the Saturday but still had a great turnout from Canberrans who were keen to see this year’s colourful array of hot air balloons, including the special visiting balloon Beagle Maximus, and to enjoy breakfast with a view on the lawns of Old Parliament House with the Belconnen Lions Club or one of the many local food trucks. Attendance at the morning launches throughout the spectacular were strong throughout the nine days. It was great to see Canberrans enjoying the sight of the balloons from vantage points all around the city and even on the water.
On Sunday afternoon I was delighted to attend, with around 10,000 other people, the Symphony in the Park in Commonwealth Park, where the Canberra Symphony Orchestra presented Sunday Night Fever with the Best of the Bee Gees. With a group of family and friends we settled in early on picnic rugs with food and drink to share an afternoon and evening ahead of the concert. There was a brief downpour but that did not dampen the spirits or the energy of the crowd, who danced and sang along throughout the night.
Then on Monday we had a wonderful family day in Commonwealth Park, celebrating our city’s 106th birthday with food, rides and free entertainment. Overall the long weekend of free fun and great community spirit was reflective of the pride that Canberrans feel about our great city.
MS CODY: Can the minister advise us of some of the other independently run, but government funded, events that have also contributed to the vibrancy of this festival season?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cody for the supplementary question. In addition to the Enlighten Festival, there are a number of other great events going on in March that have contributed to the liveliness of the season and the diversity of the arts and culture offering for Canberrans to enjoy. Just last weekend, we had both the BOLD Festival and Art, Not Apart. They are both impressive, though very different, and inspiring locally-driven events.
The four-day BOLD Festival, created by local dance icon Liz Lea is now a biennial event conference and performance symposium that celebrates the work of older dance artists. It explores the importance of creativity in personal wellbeing and in healthy ageing, and acknowledges that dance in particular is pivotal in physical, neurological and mental health. BOLD powerfully illustrates the strength of dance in the ACT and featured strong representation by First Nations artists and female choreographers, with a strong focus on inclusion.
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