The Spirit of The Planet Festival – also known as Lo Spirito del Pianeta – is an annual gathering of Indigenous tribes and people from across the globe.
“I had a dream of bringing together all the Indigenous cultures and that’s why I’m putting up the festival; to bring all the cultures to this country,” said Italian event organiser Ivano Carcano.
For the first time in 17 years, the festival will travel to Australia where Indigenous people account for just three per-cent of the total population.
However, this statistic will soar when the central western NSW city of Dubbo hosts Lo Spirito Del Pianeta next year.
Tara Callinan (second from left) with Lo Spirito Del Pianeta crew (supplied) Source: Supplied
“We invite everybody to come because you will discover your roots,” said Kenyan event organiser Susan Simayiai.
Tubba-Gah Wiradjuri man Lewis Burns invited the two organisers to Dubbo earlier this month – where they inspected local facilities and told Mr Burns he had earned the honour of hosting the next gathering.
“We invite everybody to come because you will discover your roots."
From 23 November next year, the Dubbo Showground will be transformed to showcase a variety of cultural practices and performances over a five-day period.
“We’ve got a cafeteria there, an exhibition hall, a space to hold workshops and conferences, and an area to build static displays to show the different types of housing that people used traditionally,” said Mr Burns.
Lewis has performed at the annual event four-times but will steer a working committee to ensure 2016 is a year to remember.
“It’s about getting indigenous people together and talking about what’s working in our community and let's share that with the other indigenous people of the world,” he said.
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Last year, over 200,000 visitors from around the world attended the free event.
Miss Simayiai said it’s her call for peace and respect that continuously brings people together.
“We should not look at the outside but listen to the beats of our heart because they’re all the same and the blood that runs through our veins is all the same. So close the outside eyes and use the eyes of your hearts,” she said.
Anyone looking to sign up as a volunteer, register a stall or seek further information can find details at www.thespiritoftheplanetdubboaustralia.com
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