Overview
There's never a bad time to explore the centre of Australia, but if you're keen on a trip this Easter, you've got quite the dazzling motivation. While plenty of Australian cities boast radiant arts and culture festivals that brighten up their streets and spaces, Alice Springs' Parrtjima - A Festival In Light takes the whole concept to several different levels. It celebrates Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling, including via an eye-catching array of light installations, and also takes place against a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges.
It's the type of event to add to your travel bucket list, and it has brought its luminous presence back in 2022 — with the event currently running until Sunday, April 17. And, if you're wondering exactly what's brightening up the already-striking Red Centre and how it looks, Parrtjima has unveiled images from its first weekend that just might get you planning a last-minute Easter holiday.
As always, the event has taken over the Alice Springs CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, plus tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town — and the festival's main annual attraction, aka a huge artwork that showers the MacDonnell Ranges with light each night of the festival, looks as glorious as ever. When it comes to staring at the stunning natural landmark, this is a 'desert of light experience, as Parrtjima has dubbed it. And yes, from the images, that description is accurate.
Also on the lineup: Grounded, which turns traditional and contemporary stories into a projected animation — complete with an immersive soundscape — and consistently proves a crowd favourite.
There's Water Tree, too, with the piece inspired by the artwork of Karen Napaljarri Barnes, using acrylic glass to replicate the sight of thousands of budgerigars flocking together, and strung across four archways. Or, attendees can check out Flight, which similarly goes with budgies, this time featuring artwork by Farron Jampitjinpa Furber printed on sheer fabric spears to represent the birds' journey along the Lander River.
Another must-see is Eagle's Eye, which takes inspiration from irretye (the wedge-tailed eagle) constellation, and brings a tunnel to life with animation of works by Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan — as well as Wild Wind, by Raelene Ngala Williams, which uses her artwork to celebrate the stories of the whirly whirly through a series of floating and moving structures. There's also the Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists' Energy, comprised of eight static bikes and wheelchairs, which attendees jump on and spin the pedals to illuminate and revolve the artworks. And, the 15-metre-high Night Sky, as created in collaboration with artist Carmen Glynn-Braun and Common Ground, is filled with 1200 glowing orbs that are suspended to look like a blanket of stars.
Although the ten-night event has been underway since Friday, April 8, Parrtjima's full lineup also includes live tunes, talks, and the films of Sweet Country, The Beach, Firebite and Samson and Delilah director Warwick Thornton.
Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2022, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely.
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs until Sunday, April 17 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information or to book tickets, visit the festival website.
Images: Parrtjima 2022.