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First Nations festival, Warami, kicks off with National Sorry Day event

Culture and Capability
Three women dressed in orange costumes and wearing white paint on arms and faces, move around a stage holding leafy branches.

Warami, now in its fourth year, honours the arts, music, languages and connection to the land of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

WHAT: Warami, now in its fourth year, honours the arts, music, languages and connection to the land of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The six-week festival, run by the City of Parramatta, kicks off on National Sorry Day, Thursday 26 May, with a smoking ceremony, traditional weaving, and performances by soul singer Evie J Willie and Jannawi Dance Clan.

WHEN: Thursday 26 May, 10am-3pm

WHERE: Old Government House, Parramatta Park

WHO: Interviews available on request

MORE INFORMATION: In addition to National Sorry Day, Warami also includes activities during National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, and this year’s theme ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ acknowledges the unfinished business of reconciliation.

On Saturday 28 May, a panel discussion, Yuin Byalla (‘truth talking’), will take place at Riverside Theatres, offering a glimpse into First Nations conversations around reconciliation.

Riverside Theatres will also host a series of events to celebrate NAIDOC week, 3-10 July. On Wednesday 6 July, there will be a free screening of Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow, a feature documentary about the lives and love story of Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach. That will be followed by a screening of Ablaze, the true story of first Aboriginal filmmaker William Bill Onus, on Saturday 9 July.

On 2 and 3 July, there will be a series of free children’s workshops with Koori Kinnections for 7 to 12-year-olds at Parramatta Square.

Warami wraps up on Sunday 10 July with NAIDOC Burramatta at Pavilion Flat, Parramatta Park from 10.30am to 5pm. This family-friendly event celebrates this year’s theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show up!’ with kids’ workshops, market stalls, food and performances.

For more information, visit atparramatta.com/warami