OzAsia Festival thanks audiences for their support with 170k views of OzAsia Talks and 60k attendees at Lucky Dumpling Market

Adelaide Festival Centre is celebrating the success of OzAsia Festival 2020 and is encouraging audiences to keep engaging with the free online content available.

While the COVID-19 global pandemic meant it was unable to present a full program of performances, Adelaide Festival Centre kept the spirit of OzAsia Festival alive in a number of ways.

Programmed and hosted by OzAsia Festival Artistic Director Annette Shun Wah, OzAsia Talks put a spotlight on cultural engagement between Australia and Asia through a range of panel discussions, artist profiles and poetry readings from October 20 to November 3.

The videos have already attracted more than 170,000 views and sparked social media comments and engagement from an international audience, and they can still be viewed on OzAsia Festival’s website and Facebook page.

OzAsia Festival Artistic Director Annette Shun Wah said she was inspired by the conversations she had with cultural leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds:

It was such a privilege to tap into the deep well of thinking in response to this year’s challenges. Colleagues in Asia and Australia contributed so generously to a lively exchange of ideas, but also shared common concerns for artists and communities as we grapple with ways to go forward in more creative and empathetic ways.

For family audiences and fans of the ever-popular Moon Lantern Parade, an online lantern making workshop is available thanks to the Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide. It includes an education resource for schools to share with their students and is accessible on the OzAsia Festival website.

Previously held on the riverbank in front of the Adelaide Convention Centre, OzAsia Festival highlight Lucky Dumpling Market moved to Elder Park to allow for social distancing and a COVID-safe experience from October 30 to November 15.

Lucky Dumpling Market attracted around 60,000 attendees who enjoyed a feast of Asian cuisine along with free entertainment from local artists and community groups.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM said:

We have been proud to support Lucky Dumpling Market this year by helping to program its community stage, and we provided vouchers to encourage local international students to head down there and enjoy the multicultural cuisine and performances.

It’s been wonderful to see so many people embracing the spirit of OzAsia Festival through the Lucky Dumpling Market and our free online content. We look forward to coming back with a full program of shows and community events for next year’s festival.

Peter J Snee

Peter is a British born creative, working in the live entertainment industry. He holds an honours degree in Performing Arts and has over 12 years combined work experience in producing, directing and managing artistic programs & events. Peter has traversed the UK, Europe and Australia pursuing his interest in theatre. He is inspired by great stories and passionately driven by pursuing opportunities to tell them.

Peter J Snee

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