The Italian community has given way to the beginning of cultural events, within the multicultural society in which we live. It began in Melbourne in 1978, when the Regions in Italy established a policy for cultural events abroad as part of its Migration Policy for Italians Living Abroad. Thus, first National Italian Arts Festival in Melbourne followed by every followed by every major capital city in Australia.
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1960s, 1970s and 1980s - Italian Week which became the Italian Arts Festival
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The late 1960s and 1970s saw a series of activities called “Italian Week”, tentatively aimed at showcasing the Italo-Australian contribution to Australia’s life. In 1978 the “Week” became the “Italian Arts Festival”, which, in that year, was held in every major Australian city except Sydney. For the first time a very ambitious aim was set in motion: to bring together in a National frame work a Festival of high artistic activities, both at the local and international level.
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1980s and 1990s – Melbourne Lygon Arts Festival and Spoleto Festivals
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From the Italian Arts Festival, in 1987 the Melbourne Lygon Arts Festival – which also included what is now known as the Lygon Street Festa was established; an event unique in its conception, spirit and criteria, embracing all aspects of the performing and figurative arts as developed in Italy and by Australians of Italian origin; a Festival formula that produced a synergy which stimulated participation across cultures. The Festival embraced cultural and linguistic difference however bridging cultural, sociological, philosophical debate on the Arts into the public arena as well as opening up much needed dialogue on “cultural marginalisation” by the mainstream institutions.
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Just prior to the Melbourne Lygon Arts Festival, the community has contributed with bringing to Melbourne the most important and recognised Arts Festival: the SPOLETO FESTIVAL. The Italian community of Victoria in 1981 launched this idea to the then Minister for the Arts, Race Mathews. The project was called the Spoleto Festival of Three Wolds; the first Festival was held in 1986 – Melbourne’s first Arts Festival – simply put, a huge success! Nowhere else in Australia have we so successfully and prominently espoused the vitality of cultural diversity as we have in this city.
The Festival today is no longer part of the Spoleto Family; it is now called the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts.
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The Next Millennium - The Year 2000 and Beyond
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The next millennium for Australians of Italian origin and Contemporary Italy and its policy for Italians Living Abroad has brought about the need to re-establish the Festival concept and hence the last three years Melbourne has hosted the Republic Day Programme of Events celebrating both Italian and Italo-Australian Culture during the period of May – June every year.
The challenge is to develop new ways of thinking and imagining a creative programme that crosses cultural and linguistic barriers. Linking cultures via a rich cultural exchange programme as we expand communication capabilities in the broadest sense. What is evident is that Australian and Italian ‘arts industry’ reflect their regions of origin. Exposing artists, consumers and institutions etc enhances cross cultural awareness not only between their respective nations but also between the Italian, the Australian and the Italo-Australian artist, consumer and member of respective organizations. A reality and challenge that is of imminent debate amongst second and third generation Italo-Australians.
The purpose of this Committee and its event is to promote, expand and update the historical and cultural links between Australia and Italy, precisely Victoria and its relationship with the Italian Regional Governments and ways in which we can strengthen further economic and cultural and commercial agreements between the State of Victoria and the Italian Regions.
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The New Melbourne Italian Festival
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The new Melbourne Italian Festival will be held between May and June every year. The programme comprises an international cultural component from Italy, a local component and a popular community component. The Festival will encompass:
• That the Festa della Republica (2nd June Republic Day Celebrations) be transferred to the city centre of Melbourne-Federation Square-and be recognised as the “Community Day”
• The celebrations would be opened up to encompass the whole of the Australian community; and the Festival would be a two week event comprising arts and cultural events from Italy and Australia;
• The Italian Government, the Italian regional Governments, the Victorian Government and Federal Government and the City of Melbourne and their connected organizations are asked to assist and support and participate.
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Lord Mayor John So
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