A Fond Festival Farewell
They say all good things must come to an end. For seven years, Felix Preval has contributed to the magic that is Darwin Festival. He joined the ranks in 2016 as Head of Programming before leading the charge as Artistic Director from 2017.
By Tierney Seccull
This year marks his last at the helm. Felix says he’s thrilled to see a full program presented for the first time since 2019.
“It’s a huge program! And after two significantly interrupted COVID Festivals, we have some incredible projects that we’ve been carrying over for multiple years now,” he says.
The 2022 Darwin Festival is bookended by two unique and significant First Nations events.
Finally taking to Darwin Amphitheatre stage for the free opening night extravaganza is BuÅgul. Created on Country in North East Arnhem Land with the YunupiÅu family, BuÅgul is a ceremonial celebration of Gurrrumul’s seminal final album, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), a landmark in Australian music.
“This is our biggest ever event, the largest work Darwin Festival has ever commissioned. For Darwin audiences – unlike anywhere else in the world – it will be presented for free, so it’s really, really special and feels like an incredible way to kick off my final Festival,” Felix says.
Originally programmed for the 2020 Festival, it’s been a longtime coming.
“The artists have been waiting and waiting to bring this work home. If the world were different, it would have been presented here first, but instead it will be presented here last.
“It’s going to be spectacular – kicking off the Festival, marking the legacy of Dr G and all that his music meant to YolÅu people, and the Northern Territory as a whole, and also coming together as a community, to be in the same space, particularly after these difficult years.”
Wrapping the 18-day Dry season highlight is balarr inyiny – a spectacle of light, movement and sound.
“Excitingly, we close this year’s Festival with another epic celebration of First Nations culture in the NT, our biggest ever Larrakia lead project,” Felix says.
“160 drones take to the sky over Jervois Park and Darwin Harbour, and perform an incredible light and sound show, illustrating the beautiful songlines of the Larrakia that run down the coast – from Casuarina Beach to the Waterfront. balarr inyiny means ‘Light Dreaming’, and it centres on one or two of the key songlines that speak to the moment we live in today. It’s about caring for Country and the consequences of not caring for Country.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be closing the Festival with this once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of Darwin to experience their oldest culture through the lens of the world’s newest technology.”
A fitting end to his final Festival, Felix says Darwin, its people and the Festival will always hold a special place in his heart.
“These have just been the most incredible, enriching, challenging and uplifting years of my life. I, like many others, moved to Darwin thinking I’d be here for 18 months – for it to now be almost seven years is pretty unexpected [laughs]. But in that time I have not only fallen in love with this city, this Country, and its people, but of course the Festival. The opportunity I’ve been afforded as Artistic Director has been the most life-changing professional experience of my life.
“It’s been fraught, sure, but I’ve felt supported by the community along the way, and knowing that people really love the Festival and love what it does for the city, makes all of the challenges worthwhile.”
Of course, in true Felix style, he’s going out with a bang.
“I love Darwin Festival, and I obviously love to dance. And Darwin loves to boogie, too… So, come find me at Club Awi to say goodbye!”
Festival Free For All
BuÅgul
Experience the traditional songs, dances and paintings that inspired Gurumul’s album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), in a live performance by YolÅu dancers, songmen and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.
WHEN THU 4 AUG | 7.30PM GATES 5.30PM
AT DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Darwin’s favourite family fun day is back, with a packed morning of free activities especially designed for youngsters – and the young at heart. Flick back to page 6 to check out our beary wonderful feature!
WHEN SUN 7 AUG | 9AM-12PM
AT DARWIN ESPLANADE
Bamboo Bandstand
Free music gigs while you kick back with dinner? Don’t mind if we do! Enjoy an eclectic line-up of local musical acts, plus a few blow ins, every night at Festival Park.
WHEN EVERY NIGHT, FRI 5 – SUN 21 AUG (EXC. MON) 6.30PM & 8PM
AT FESTIVAL PARK
balarr inyiny
Witness 160 drones taking flight from Jervois Park in a breathtaking, choreographed sky show, illustrating Larrakia songlines along Darwin’s coast. balarr inyiny (Light Dreaming) uses new technologies to bring to life ancient stories. Don’t miss this free, family friendly, once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of light, movement and sound.
WHEN FRI 19 – SUN 21 AUG | 7PM
AT JERVOIS PARK
Darwin Festival
WHEN THU 4 – SUN 21 AUG
INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Thumbnail, header & inset: photo: Helen Orr
