This year the Sydney Festival joins a league of other Australian organisations when it launches its Reconciliation Action Plan next Friday at Sydney’s Town Hall.
The Plan has been under development since 2011 and outlines concrete steps the Festival can take to contribute to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
It was designed in consultation with Reconciliation Australia, a national organisation promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.
Sydney Festival Executive Director, Christopher Tooher, said the festival also spent the development time consulting with many Indigenous peoples and organisations.
“Together we have acknowledged the enormous contributions Australia’s first peoples have made to this country. By fostering a sustainable and progressive platform for future Indigenous stories, engagement and employment, Sydney Festival will be able to accurately reflect its place in contemporary society,” he said.
Sydney Festival Director, Lieven Bertels (pictured above), affirmed the Reconciliation Action Plan was more than just a token gesture.
“Given the track record of Sydney Festival in embracing Indigenous culture and trying to establish sound and sustainable bridges with Aboriginal Australia, I think this is certainly not a token gesture; it’s not the first step but it is an important next step in the reconciliation process.”
- Nastassia Baroni
