February—festivals and fireworks

Millions of people from all over the world have travelled to Australia and made it their home—from British colonists, to the influx of Chinese people during the Gold Rush, to Europeans displaced by the Second World War, and many others.

In February we celebrate the diversity of our origins and cultures, with festivals in Perth and Canberra.

The Year of the Ox has been heralded with an evening lantern festival in Sydney, fire dragon street procession in Melbourne, and historic showcases in Broome and Townsville.The qualiities of the ox—strength, wisdom and patience, were all required for Australians and others at the Fall of Singapore and Bombing of Darwin in February, 1942.

New and revised Australian Stories

In addition to our article Festivals, please also see our new and revised Australian Stories:

The changing face of early Australia
Chinatowns across Australia
The Japanese bombing of Darwin and northern Australia

Monthly call-out

ReFace
Bare city walls transform into vibrant public art sites as curated galleries of stick-ups, stencils and freehand street art are projected on buildings across town as part of the Perth International Arts Festival’s ReFace project.

Featured event

National Multicultural Festival - Canberra

6-15 February 2009

The National Multicultural Festival will present a variety of live music acts, fringe events, theatre, lakeside opera, community events, art exhibitions, workshops, films and food from all over the world. More...

Featured website

Journeys to Australia (Museum Victoria)

Since 1788, millions have made the long journey across the oceans to Australia seeking fortune, opportunity and freedom. Journeys to Australia celebrates the journeys that changed Australia forever.

Snippets

Design and architecture

culture.gov.au/news/design.htm

art:house art and design festival - Queanbeyan, New South Wales

23 January - 28 February 2009

art:house is a month long summer festival celebrating art and design in the local region, featuring visual art, photography, illustration and graphic design. More...

Digital media and film

culture.gov.au/news/digitalmedia.htm

Tropfest - national

22 February 2009

Tropfest is regarded as one of Australia's most iconic cultural events, and the largest short film festival in the world. More...

Festivals and conferences

culture.gov.au/news/festivalsandconferences.htm

Perth International Arts Festival - Perth

13 February - 8 March 2009

For more than 50 years the Perth International Arts festival has showcased and celebrated contemporary artists and practitioners from Western Australia and around the world. More...

History and identity

culture.gov.au/news/historyandidentity.htm

Vietnam War replica items for schools

January 2009

The Australian War Memorial (AWM) has created a box of replica items from the Vietnam War to send to schools in each state and territory. More...

Indigenous arts and culture

culture.gov.au/news/indigenousarts.htm

Yamatji Pirni: Many Friendships, Sharing Life and Art from the Western Desert - Melbourne

Until 22 February 2009

Yamatji Pirni presents more than 40 artists from Kayili Artists, Warakurna Artists, Papulankutja Artists, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Maruku Arts and Tjarlirli Art sharing their stories. More...

Language and literature

culture.gov.au/news/languageandliterature.htm

Library Lovers Day - national

14 February 2009

For centuries February 14 has been known as Valentine's Day. Now a new era has begun with Library Lovers everywhere claiming the day as Library Lovers Day. More...

Performance

culture.gov.au/news/performance.htm

Kodô and TaikOz in Concert - Sydney and Melbourne

21, 22, 24 February 2009

For the first time ever, Kodô and TaikOz combine forces to present an evening of drumming, dance and song. More...

Resources and funding

culture.gov.au/news/resourcesandfunding.htm

Transforming cultural and scientific communication conference - Melbourne

5-6 March 2009

This conference brings experts from USA, Canada and Australia to Melbourne to discuss how the Web 2.0 revolution is changing museum and library practice. More...

Sport and recreation

culture.gov.au/news/sportandrecreation.htm

2009 Dragon Boat Challenge - Canberra

15 February 2009

As part of the Chinese New Year and the National Multicultural Festival, The Canberra Dragon Boat Association presents the 2009 Dragon Boat Challenge. More...

Visual arts and crafts

culture.gov.au/news/visualarts.htm

Karen Choy, Year of the Ox - ceramics - Sydney

31 January - 25 February 2009

Second generation Chinese Australian artist Karen Choy has her first solo exhibition, Celebrating her love of animals and her Chinese ancestry through her ceramics. More...

Websites - new

culture.gov.au/news/websites.htm

Australian Plays website

22 January 2009

Australianplays.org is a new e-commerce portal dedicated to the sale and promotion of Australian playscripts. More...

Portal news

The Culture and Recreation Portal is undertaking its annual review of its website collection policy. Please let us know your thoughts and fill out our online survey by the 26th of February.

Subscribe to our RSS news feed for all the latest weekly updates on news and events - and pass the word on to others about how the Portal promotes arts and culture news and events.

Feedback is welcome - just email editor@culture.gov.au.