Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh has encouraged everyone to join in 22 days of festivities as Brisbane Festival 2009 kicks off tonight in spectacular fashion with fireworks and the roar of F-111s across the city.
“For the first time this year’s Brisbane Festival includes Riverfire and what a great way to start this wonderful festival that is now our state’s largest arts and cultural celebration,” the Premier said.
“During the festival there will be 600 performances involving more than 3560 artists with 10 productions exclusive to Brisbane, including Chucho Valdes, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: Moon Water and The Actors Gang: The Trial of the Catonsville Nine.
“I am also delighted to see some world premieres as well, with The Story of Butterfish by acclaimed Brisbane writer Nick Earls at Brisbane Powerhouse and stage favourite Deborah Mailman returning to her home state to perform in Miracle in Brisbane.
“The Queensland Government is a foundation partner of Brisbane Festival and this year invested $5.3 million in the event.
“This money is well spent with the 2008 audience of 340,000 expected to grow in 2009, while Riverfire alone should attract up to 600,000 people.”
The Premier said events such as the Brisbane Festival needed to go beyond theatre walls to reach out into the community.
“Events such as tomorrow’s free River Sunday! event for children, Brisbane Backyard Concerts featuring Kev Carmody and the View From Madeline’s Couch, as well as the historic Cherbourg Walk that today started its 22-day, 275mk trek from Cherbourg to Brisbane all bring a wider sense of involvement and relevance to more people,” Ms Bligh said.
As part of the Q150 celebrations the travelling exhibition, Where We From - The Banner Project will also be on show at the State Library of Queensland until 1 October.
Ms Bligh thanked outgoing Brisbane Festival director Lyndon Terracini, who is leaving the festival to take up his new role as Artistic Director of Opera Australia.
“Lyndon has directed three previous Brisbane Festivals and three Queensland Music Festivals from 2001 to 2005,” the Premier said.
“He has played a major role in shaping Queensland’s cultural landscape this decade and his contribution to this big picture will be missed as he has worked hard to broaden both these events to include a wider audience.
“I wish him well in his next artistic endeavour and look forward to enjoying some of the exciting programming he has put in place for the 2009 Brisbane Festival.”
For more information on the Brisbane Festival go to www.brisbanefestival.com.au
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