Strategic Statement
The ‘National’, as it is affectionately known, has come to be seen as a national treasure, being one of the longest-running events of its kind in Australia. The festival was established in Port Philip Bay, Victoria in 1967 and after subsequently being presented interstate throughout Australia, it settled in Canberra in 1993, to become firmly established as a Canberra institution, along with Canberra’s other unique cultural attractions.
The event’s long history was recently crowned with winning the National Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Best Festival Event in Australia in 2009, as well as being awarded Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards in 2008 and 2009.
One of the National Folk Festival’s strategic aims is to contribute to curricula education, via the benefits of the ‘oral’ or ‘folk’ process and the way in which young people can be engaged and stimulated by the geographical, historical and anthropological elements of ethnic or folk music and its cultural process.
The organisation has developed a multi-faceted folk festival event, currently attended by 55,000 people, with an accent on participation, sharing and creative self-exploration. The broad-ranging program embraces music, dance, film, spoken word, circus and performance skills, traditional handcrafts and children’s and family activities.
Although the main stage headline artists are amongst the world’s finest acoustic musicians, the National provides a unique opportunity for an interface and informal sharing between these artists and young up-and-coming musicians.
Most importantly, the festival encourages everyone to explore their own natural creativity and find or further develop their unique creative gifts.
The National Folk Festival also has an Education side to its website with an online guide to the world’s folk instruments and their cultural backgrounds – ‘Rhythms of the World’ is a virtual museum with online educational modules to assist with primary and secondary school assignments and tertiary education – as well as some fascinating information for more seasoned folk followers!
In broader collaborative terms, the National Folk Festival is looking to position itself as a strategic player in the further development of the ACT as a unique cultural centre in the lead up to the 2013 Centenary of Canberra and beyond.
ANZAC Day Concert, ‘For the Fallen’ -
The National Folk Festival also presents the annual ANZAC Day concert, ‘For the Fallen’ – on ANZAC Day each year – presented in partnership with the Australian War Memorial and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
This is a special commemorative cultural event with music and spoken word – honouring those who have given their lives for their country.
