The Garma Festival is underway in northeast Arnhem Land, with the four-day event showcasing traditional Yolŋu art, song, dance and storytelling. Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, this year’s festival is expected to attract about two-thousand guests, including Australia’s most famous blue heeler, Bluey.
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TRANSCRIPT
She is one of Australia’s most famous dogs, and now Bluey has arrived on Gumatj Country in northeast Arnhem Land for the annual Garma Festival.
The appearance celebrates the release of several Bluey episodes translated into Yolŋu Matha and voiced by members of the local Yolŋu community.
(Chilli in Yolŋu matha) "Bluey, eat your green plums, they'll keep your body healthy."
(Bluey in Yolŋu matha) "Oh well, I don't want a healthy body."
The episodes were screened at the festival on Friday night, drawing a large crowd of local children.
Among them was Gika Yunupingu, a keen Bluey fan.
(Reporter) "How excited are you that Bluey is here today at Garma Festival?"
(Yunupingu) "I like Bluey."
His dad, Winston, watched as Gika smiled and cuddled the human-sized blue heeler for a photo.
Mr Yunupingu told NITV it was good to see Bluey translated into Yolŋu Matha.
"I think it's very important for the dhuwala (children) here, especially the ones that are coming up and for both as well, for balanda (non-Indigenous) as well to be able to watch and learn and both, and I think it's very important for them to learn. For Bluey here, I think everyone is excited."
The translated episodes were produced by Yolŋu Radio, Aboriginal Resource and Development Services, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Ludo Studio.
The Garma Festival also celebrates traditional Yolŋu art, song, dance and storytelling. Mr Yunupingu says Bluey’s special appearance adds to this year’s celebration of culture.
"Every year is a big year, not (just) this year. Everyone from international coming here, experiencing this cultural event, that's happening every year, so I think it's very important that Bluey is here as well, so I think everyone is excited for him, just to get around and be here with him."
Kenisha Black is a high school student and long-time fan of the cartoon.
She says hearing Bluey in Yolŋu Matha makes her proud of her culture and language.
"It means so much, makes me very proud, I'm glad that other kids have it, I wish I had it when I was young."
