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OzAsia Festival Program Launches Tonight

Adelaide Festival Centre has unveiled the 2014 OzAsia Festival program, which celebrates Adelaide’s sister state, Shandong Province, China.

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Adelaide Festival Centre has unveiled the 2014 OzAsia Festival program, which celebrates Adelaide’s sister state, Shandong Province, China. The Festival will feature more than 140 performers from the region and will put the spotlight on its rich history and resplendent culture as well as presenting performances and events from on Japan, India, Korea, Philippines, Cambodia, Palestine, Bangladesh, Russia, Indonesia, Mongolia and of course Australia.

Adelaide Festival Centre’s OzAsia Festival is proudly supported by the Government of South Australia and proudly supported by major festival partner Santos. The culturally diverse OzAsia Festival will run from 3 – 21 September and play host to 21 performances and 36 events featuring over 250 artists and presenters from across the globe.

Minister for the Arts Jack Snelling says “OzAsia is the largest and pre-eminent cultural event in Australia presenting on works from the Asian region and is recognised around Asia as an important step in solidifying Asian – Australian relationships. The Festival has grown steadily since its inception eight years ago and is now an important event on South Australia’s cultural calendar.

It addition to entertaining audiences, OzAsia is helping our understanding of Asian culture, traditions and language and connecting local Australian Asian communities who have historically not taken part in cultural activities in Adelaide.

This year the focus on Shandong will bring to Adelaide some amazing shows and exhibitions that would otherwise never be seen in this country. This exchange of culture will nurture our Sister-State relationship with Shandong which is providing unique social, cultural and economic opportunities for South Australia.”

The program boasts 6 world premieres, 7 Australian premieres, 8 South Australian premieres and 26 Adelaide exclusives. This year’s hero image for the Festival is the dragon kite; Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore, like the dragon the Festival holds virtues of power, strength, energy and good fortune. Shandong is known as the birthplace of kites and is home to the World Kite Museum, the largest in the world.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says, “OzAsia has grown over the last eight years and has been embraced by local Asian communities and mainstream audiences alike. It has enriched the experience of South Australian Audiences by providing a more diverse range of artistic expression while also helping our understanding of Asian culture and traditions. OzAsia Festival is a vital ingredient in aiding cultural understanding and promoting a harmonious community.

This year’s OzAsia Festival showcases Asia’s diverse arts and culture, through an array of performances, events, workshops, forums, lectures and exhibitions. From acclaimed Shandong Acrobatic Troupe to Beijing’s famed minimalistic dance troupe, TAO Dance Theatre. This great work has never been seen in this country before and is exclusive to OzAsia festival.

The Festival engages audiences through theatre, dance, music both contemporary and traditional, film, percussion, food and calligraphy. Audiences of all ages will have the opportunity to learn more about this province which is the cradle of Chinese civilisation and gain insights into the eternal charm of ancient Shandong and the many facets of its contemporary culture.”

For further information go here.

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