Wednesday, 7 February 2024

Midsumma Festival

Nina TAYLOR (Albert Park) (09:57): The Midsumma Festival runs over three weeks in January and February each year and showcases a program of events, parties, workshops and activities that celebrate LGBTIQA+ culture and creativity with a line-up of local, interstate and international artists. The organisation works year-round to provide artists with support and tools to create, present and promote their work. Midsumma’s programming aims to strengthen the creative voices of LGBTIQA+ communities whilst developing the festival’s leadership position at the forefront of LGBTIQA+ artistic development.

Midsumma’s annual program attracts an average of about 250,000 people to Victoria. It is absolutely fantastic. As part of that I have attended, to start with, the Queer Latinx: Migrating Down Under photographic exhibition at the Victorian Pride Centre, noting our government helped build this $25 million Pride Centre – just pointing that out. Anyway, this exhibition – layers of identity and intersectionality experienced by LGBTIQA+ Latinx people living in Australia.

Then of course the Midsumma carnival, which was really the opening of the Midsumma Festival: free events in Alexandra Gardens, over 120,000 people on average, live performances, fun activities, food trucks and stalls and the dog show – not to be missed. Next, Temperance Hall, where there was a triple bill. Temperance Hall researches and develops artwork fostering young choreographers and dancers. It is something to see – really, really fabulous. And of course the Pride March on Sunday. It was sweltering. The Premier, the Minister for Equality, over 400 groups – absolutely fantastic. Thank you to the Rainbow Labor Network.