Two worlds, two cultures

This year’s 2 Worlds Festival (2WF) at Birrarung Marr will see some of Australia’s finest musicians turn out in support of Indigenous culture and learning.

Headlining the event will be Surf Coast-grown talent Xavier Rudd and award-winning country music artist Kasey Chambers alongside Áine Tyrrell, The Black Rock Band, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, young Torquay rocker Finnigan August, Honk, Kutcha Edwards, Spoonful, The Louds, Wadeye Journey Men Project and Yirrmal.

A fundraising event for the Marrma’ Rom Foundation which provides educational and leadership opportunities for young Yolngu students, the festival will be opened with a ceremony led by traditional owners.

Visiting dance groups will be welcomed onto country and invited to share their stories through dance.

Across the day there will be performances from Djirri Djirri dancers, The Didge Circle and Culture Is Life, as well as Charcoal Lane cooking demonstrations, panel discussions, kids activities and interactive workshops including kids yoga, Immy Owusu drum and dance workshops, Urban Upcycle, face-painting and big lawn games.

The festival – which showcases a variety of Indigenous and western performers, art forms and activities – was established in Geelong in 2017.

The inspiration for the 2 Worlds Festival comes from the Marrma’ Rom Two Worlds Foundation, which was started in 2011 by Cam Begg and Melissa Patterson in partnership with the communities of North East Arnhem Land.

“Marrma’ Rom” translates to “two worlds, two cultures or two belief systems” in Yolngu Matha, the language of the people in North East Arnhem Land.

2WF will be held at Birrarung Marr Upper and Middle Terraces, Melbourne, on March 14 from 12-11pm.

First release tickets are $59 per person. Children U12 who are accompanied by an adult enter free.

To purchase yours, head to 2worldsfestival.org.au. For more information on Marrma’ Rom Two Worlds Foundation, head to mrf2worlds.org.au.