Picture above from Bronwyn Englert – Artist
The Cygnet Folk Festival is held each year on the land of the melukerdee people.
The Cygnet Folk Festival is one of Australia’s most iconic folk music festivals. Very highly regarded by musicians and festival-goers from all over Australia and overseas, competition to come to Cygnet is at an all time high amongst performers, and last year we had a record number of applications! The Festival is a showcase of eclectic music genres featuring both local and international talent, dance, poetry, masterclasses, film, kids’ entertainment, food, wine, art and local handicrafts all set in the breathtaking scenery of Tasmania’s Huon Valley.
The Cygnet Folk Festival began in 1982 and is a not-for-profit community event organised by a volunteer management committee (Huon Folk Inc), a paid Festival Manager & Art Director and many dedicated people volunteering their time and expertise. Huon Folk Inc is open to membership as an incorporated association: to become a member please click here for the online form.
Cygnet has a population of less than 1,600 people and for such a small community, the Festival is impressive in its size, scope and quality.
The Festival attracts thousands of visitors every year. A rich cultural community event, the Festival provides entertainment to a wide audience of Festival attendees, making people smile, providing opportunities and a springboard for young musicians, opportunities for local businesses, and new friendships.
The aims of the Festival are:
- to offer folk, ethno, world, singer-songwriter, roots and acoustic music, dance, poetry and workshops from local, national and international artists.
- to encourage interest in and awareness of folk music and associated activities to people of diverse ages and backgrounds.
- to provide support and opportunities to young musicians.
- to foster mutually beneficial relationships with the local community, businesses and associations.
Click here to discover it: https://cygnetfolkfestival.org/
“The melukerdee people belong to the oldest continuing culture in the world. They cared and protected Country for thousands of years. They knew this land, they lived on the land and they died on these lands. We honour them. We recognise the value of continuing Aboriginal knowledge and cultural practice, which helps inform our understanding of history, culture and country.
We pay our respects to the Elders past and present.
We acknowledge the strength and resilience of all of Tasmania’s First Peoples and we walk alongside them respectfully bearing witness and we support them in truth telling.”
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