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Thursday, 8 November 2012

This year's spectacular Perth International Arts Festival - an annual event founded by The University of Western Australia - aims to outshine last year's triumph with a summer feast of world-class acts and events thanks to an extra $1.5 million contribution from Lotterywest.

The welcome boost - which takes total WA Government support in 2013 to $7 million - was announced at the Perth Concert Hall last night by WA Premier Colin Barnett during the unveiling of a star-studded summer program of Festival art and culture.

Perth Festival's 61 st season starts at dusk near UWA on the Matilda Bay foreshore Friday February 8 with ‘ Beginnings ' - an Aboriginal Welcome To Country, Shakespearean sonnets in Nyungar language performed by Perth's acclaimed Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company and a special guest appearance by nationally respected storyteller, singer and musician Archie Roach.

This year's Festival coincides with the University's Centenary Celebrations, starting with a gala on-campus Alumni Weekend February 8-10 and LUMINOUSnight - a celebration of art and culture featuring a spectacular filmic projection on Winthrop Hall.

The run-up to the Perth Festival's summer arts season starts this month with Lotterywest Festival Film screenings at UWA's popular outdoor Somerville Auditorium, commencing November 25 with the Swedish/UK movie ‘ Searching For Sugar Man' .

Perth Festival bookings for all events open Monday.

Media references

Rania Ghandour (Media Relations Manager, PIAF)  (+61 8)  6488 8618
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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