OzAsia Festival

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:27): My question is to the Minister for the Arts. Minister, can you advise of the success of this year's OzAsia Festival and will it continue next year?

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:27): OzAsia.com. I thank the member for Taylor for her question. The OzAsia Festival took place earlier this month and has further cemented South Australia's position as the Festival State. The Adelaide Festival Centre's OzAsia Festival has delivered on many fronts. Not only has this great event engaged and thrilled audiences but, as the Premier has mentioned, it has continued to promote cultural diversity and strengthen important bonds within Asia.

As previously mentioned in this place, this year the festival showcased the Shandong region and has been the largest cultural exchange between a Chinese province and an Australian state ever staged. This has allowed Adelaide audiences to step into this fascinating world of Chinese art and civilisation.

The partnership with Shandong has seen two of the biggest shows ever performed at the festival in Red Sorghum and Dream of the Ghost Story. This year's OzAsia Festival contained six world premieres, seven Australian premieres, eight South Australian premieres and 26 Adelaide exclusives. More than 250 artists and presenters from around the globe descended on Adelaide to be a part of this international event. Artists from Japan, India, Korea, the Philippines, Cambodia, Palestine, Bangladesh, Russia, Indonesia, Mongolia and, of course, Australia all formed part of this year's rich program.

I know that many would share my disappointment that the Moon Lantern Festival had to be cancelled for a second year owing to dangerous weather predicted that afternoon. I know it was a heartbreaking decision for the organisers, but I am assured that, weather allowing, it will be back again next year.

As the Premier stated, we were honoured to have the Vice Governor of Shandong in Adelaide to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Festival Centre, the University of South Australia and the Shandong government. I know this will lead to some amazing long-term cultural ties between our two regions and I look forward to seeing the fruits of the labours of all involved in this important cultural partnership. I assure honourable members that the government will continue to support this event so that it grows into the future. Next year's festival will have its focus on Indonesia.