Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals, and is held each September in Brisbane, Australia.[1]
| Brisbane Festival | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Major arts, theatre, music and cultural festival |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Country | Australia |
| Inaugurated | 1996 |
| Most recent | 3–25 September 2021 |
| Organised by | Brisbane City Council Queensland Government |
| Website | brisbanefestival |
Its presence dominates the city for three weeks in September and its line-up of classical and contemporary music, theatre, dance, comedy, opera, circus and major public events such as Sunsuper Riverfire attracts an audience of around one million people every year.
In 2019, Artistic Director David Berthold transformed the Festival into Australia's largest major international arts festival, presenting more works to more people than any other.[2]
History
Brisbane Festival was first held in 1996 as a joint initiative of the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, intended to foster the arts. The festival evolved from Brisbane's Warana Festival, first held in 1961. Originally held biennially, Brisbane Festival became an annual event in 2009 when it merged with Riverfire. The festival has had five artistic directors; Tony Gould (1996–2004), Lyndon Terracini (2006–2009), Noel Staunton (2010–2014), David Berthold (2015–2019) and Louise Bezzina (2020–2023).[3]
The 2016 event featured 3D street art.[4]
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The 2020 festival was estimated to have generated $14 million into the Brisbane economy.[5] Because of the pandemic Brisbane Riverfire was excluded from the event in 2020.[6]
In 2021, the theme for the festival was Brightly Brisbane. It featured light installations in several locations.[5]
References
- Major Brisbane Festivals. "History of Brisbane Festival". Major Brisbane Festivals. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- "Brisbane Festival unveils dazzling program packed with revelry, revelation and romance" (PDF). Brisbane Festival. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- "About us". Brisbane Festival. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- Woodward, Jenny. "Brisbane Festival: 3D street art captures imaginations at the right angle". ABC News. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- Gramenz, Emilie (3 September 2021). "Brisbane Festival draws heavily on local talent for a celebration of Queensland pride and optimism". abc.net.au. ABC News. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- Seselja, Edwina (28 July 2020). "Coronavirus sees Riverfire axed from Brisbane Festival; lasers to light up skyline instead". abc.net.au. ABC News. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
