Brisbane Festival Opening

Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts, the Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP; representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane/Deputy Mayor, Councillor for Holland Park, Councillor Krista Adams; Brisbane Festival Chair, Ms Anna Reynolds and Members of the Board of Directors; CEO, Mr Charlie Cush; Artistic Director, Ms Louise Bezzina; Indigenous Advisory Group Co-Chairs Aunty Bridget Garay and Mr Shannon Ruska; Festival staff and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I first wish to acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here tonight. In particular, I acknowledge and thank Mr Shannon Ruska for tonight’s Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, which brings us together in a spirit of goodwill.

What a thrill it is to be joining you this evening for the opening of an event that makes such an impact every year on our city and all who visit, and one with which I am incredibly proud to be associated, as Patron.

In a city that is already well and truly on the international cultural radar, with an increasingly packed calendar of major public events, the Brisbane Festival offers experiences like no other.

Over the next month, the public is invited to access an incredible array of arts performances and experiences, with a program designed to elicit a sense of joy and possibility, freedom and frivolity, exploration and discovery and — when it comes to Riverfire at least — outright awe!

The Brisbane Festival’s unique mix of visual arts, theatrical performances, music, dance, opera, film, fashion, sorcery, comedy, cabaret, circus — and the list goes on — draws us out of our daily lives into another world entirely, one that offers new experiences and insights at every turn.

It brings a sense of wonderment that is so incredibly rare and precious in our fast-paced and interconnected world.

I daresay, this is in keeping with the origins of the festival, in a bygone era when the technological distractions were fewer but the opportunity for a departure from the everyday was just as welcome.

The Warana Festival, for those who remember it, was a highlight on the calendar for many, with its broad array of cultural activities and performances, and its promotion of inclusivity and community connection.

After Expo ’88, with Brisbane having introduced itself to the world, a new vision emerged, supported by our civic and cultural leaders, leading to the launch in 1996 of a biennial arts festival, which when combined with Riverfestival served as the forerunner of what we see here today.

Brisbane Festival may be among the youngest event of its kind in the country, but – guided by its devoted Board and hardworking executive team, its experienced and talented artistic leaders, and its dedicated staff and supporters – it is a force to be reckoned with!

It not only celebrates Brisbane’s vibrant identity but also positions it as a key player in the global arts scene, reflecting the city’s evolution from its festival roots to a destination for world-class cultural experiences.

We have many of you here tonight to thank for that, and so on behalf of Queenslanders I offer my deepest gratitude.

Enjoy your time in the limelight, or under the fairy lights, as the case may be! Thank you.