With the recent announcement that I will
become Governor of Victoria in several
months’ time, I am leaving the Festival
certainly earlier than I would have otherwise
chosen to do. I have every confidence
though that it is in the very good hands of
an excellent and well-balanced Board, and
the committed and capable staff led by Katie
McLeish and Josephine Ridge.
I look forward to an exceptional 2015
program, and the celebration of the
Melbourne Festival’s 30th anniversary.
Thirty consecutive years bringing Melbourne
audiences the best of the best cultural
works and experiences: a considerable
achievement!
THE HON. LINDA DESSAU AM
PRESIDENT
COMPLEXITY OF BELONGING | PHOTO: JEFF BUSBY
and a chat at the Foxtel Festival Hub on the
banks of the river looking back at the city
skyline.
The theatrical offerings were also rich in their
variety. Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday was
a skilful celebration of different life stages,
Have I No Mouth a poignant documentary
drama of family loss and Hipbone Sticking
Out a poignant cross-cultural story.
China Southern Airlines again brought us
the treat of a major Sidney Myer Music Bowl
event, this year with the mellifluous voice and
showmanship of famous Greek singer, Mihalis
Hatzigiannis.
There was also magnificent dance, including
a sweeping survey of Trisha Brown’s most
important works. And partnering again with
the National Gallery of Victoria, we brought
Carsten Höller’s Golden Mirror Carousel to
Melbourne, where its audacious bold beauty
could be admired, but the artistic trickery of
its mirrors and counter-intuitive movements
could also be experienced while riding upon it.
2014 saw 100 events with an attendance
over 420,000, presented by 1,000 artists
from 23 countries, 15 world and 21 Australian
premieres – and to top it all off a swathe of
nominations and wins at the Helpmann and
Green Room Awards.
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