NTG Update

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2022 has finished in Alice Springs, but don’t worry, the much-loved free event will return to the Red Centre from 7-16 April 2023, and organisers are already planning how to wow the crowds all over again next year. Celebrating thousands of years of culture, Parrtjima is the only Aboriginal light festival of its kind in the world. This year it took place from 8–17 April at Alice Springs Desert Park and Araluen Arts Centre, and attracted more than 23,000 attendances. People from across Australia, and even the world now borders have reopened, enjoyed everything the lively program had to offer. That included a spectacular light show on the MacDonnell Ranges, large-scale light installations, live music from the likes of King Stingray, Dan Sultan and Barkaa, workshops ranging from screen printing to pottery, talks with a range of Aboriginal performers, artists and experts, and a retrospective of the works of acclaimed Australian director and cinematographer Warwick Thornton. As well as 10 nights of free entertainment, this year’s event included exclusive Parrtjima experiences, such as a special Preview Night, Araluen Art Centre tours, Merne bushfood tours and a nocturnal tour at Alice Springs Desert Park. The majority of guests joined these experiences as part of an interstate travel package, specifically designed to attract visitors to the Red Centre. “Parrtjima is always something special, and this year’s festival was no exception. With an everdeveloping program, Parrtjima continues to offer more and more reasons to visit, encouraging people from all over the country and the world to journey to the Red Centre,” Minister for Major Events Natasha Fyles said. “Red Centre residents enjoy time under the stars catching up with friends, while visitors make the most of their trip by seeing and experiencing as much as possible.”