welcome
2015 marks the 30th anniversary
of Melbourne Festival with an
exciting and diverse program and an
impressive line–up of artists.
It is a great pleasure and honour for
me to take the helm as President
of Melbourne Festival in its 30th
anniversary year.
Melbourne Festival is one of the
major multi–arts festivals of the
world, featuring high–calibre
international and local acts.
When the Victorian Government
established an international festival
it aspired to bring some of the
world’s best arts experiences to
local audiences. Three decades
later, Melbourne Festival has lived
up to that vision and more.
Since its foundation in 1986 the
Festival has been at the heart of the
cultural landscape in Melbourne.
The City of Melbourne is proud to
support the festival and ensure it
is accessible to everyone via many
free and low–cost events.
It’s become more than a showcase
of international arts, with many of
the most exciting and memorable
festival works being created
by local artists and companies.
After premiering at Melbourne
Festival, companies like Back to
Back, Chunky Move, Lucy Guerin
and Malthouse Theatre have won
acclaim around the world.
The Andrews Labor Government
proudly supports Melbourne Festival
as a great example of the important
role of our creative and cultural
industries. It brings together artists
and audiences, creates shared
experiences, introduces us to new
art and ideas and draws interstate
and international tourists to our city.
There are many different ways to
enjoy the festival, including fantastic
free events. So join us to celebrate a
30 year cultural contribution and be
inspired by Melbourne, our creative
community and great local and
international arts.
It has been steered by an
impressive honour roll of
supportive and influential leaders
starting with Marc Besen AC and
culminating recently with The
Honourable Linda Dessau AM, who
stepped aside to become Victoria’s
29th Governor. In between these two
impressive bookmarks, a veritable
who’s who of industry leaders
have contributed to the 30 years
of successful Festivals including
Luciano Bini, Bruce Grant, John
Harrison AM CBE, Harold Mitchell
AC, Noel Turnbull, Carol Schwartz
AM and Carrillo Gantner AO.
I look forward to continuing the
proud traditions of the Melbourne
Festival and to working with the
board and management to ensure
that Melbourne’s international
festival is among the best in the
world.
One of the highlights this year is the
opening night festivities including
TANDERRUM: a gathering of the
five Kulin Nations as they welcome
audiences and artists on traditional
lands at Federation Square.
Festival–goers can also enjoy free
music events at the Foxtel Festival
Hub on the banks of the Yarra
River or catch one of the fantastic
Melbourne Arts Trams.
I congratulate the Melbourne
Festival team on what’s s