LAUNCHING on August 29, the Yarrawula Wiradjuri Arts and Cultural Festival will be a powerful celebration of Indigenous culture.
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The initiative from Griffith Regional Theatre and Griffith Regional Art Gallery will be presented in partnership with the Wiradjuri community, the traditional custodians of the Murrumbidgee.
Manager of Griffith Regional Theatre, Raina Savage, says the event will showcase MIA culture and celebrate arts from across the Riverina.
"We're incredibly excited to be able to host something so important in our community," Ms Savage said.
"We really want people outside of this area, who are able to safely travel, to come and experience the amazing talent and strength of culture that there is in this region."
The world premiere of Sunshine Super Girl will be the keystone of the event, celebrating the achievements of living legend Evonne Goolagong.
The production is written and directed by playwright Andrea James, who has captured the story of a Griffith-born girl who dared to dream and became World Number One.
"We really felt the launch needed to be here and the Aboriginal community strongly backed that," Ms Savage said.
"She grew up here, this is where she comes from, this is her original country."
Griffith Regional Theatre fought tirelessly to have the launch in Griffith, after seeing extensive competition from a number of major cities.
The nationally-significant event and world premiere will be held at West End Sports Stadium, which will be converted into a 'tennis court stage' for the production.
"There will be an amazing performance and people will get a real taste of what's in store for them," Ms Savage said.
"All being well, amazing legend and national treasure Evonne Goolagong will be attending the gala red carpet launch of Sunshine Super Girl.
"We're all very excited about that."
The Yarruwala Wiradjuri Cultural Festival launch will be also be digital, helping to overcome the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
There will be exhibitions, workshops and cultural experiences throughout the festival, which will run from September 26 to October 10.
"We're obviously keeping our fingers crossed and hoping that things don't get worse than they already are, and that we all stay safe and well out here," Ms Savage said.
"But the digital launch will be great, because it also means that we can engage with the media and with communities well beyond Griffith."
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