With one week left to go, Brisbane Festival has proved the city has 'momentum'

As the Brisbane Festival enters its final week, the city has proven to be brimming with artistic momentum. The annual arts and culture festival, now in its second week, has been taking over South Bank with a diverse lineup of theatrical, artistic, and musical events. These include the acclaimed Riverfire fireworks display that kicked off the festival on September 5 and will continue through to September 26.

Brisbane Festival's artistic director, Ebony Bott, is captivated by how the city responds to a festival at a specific moment. She emphasizes that Brisbane is on the move and has momentum, noting that festivals can elevate the local experience by introducing international and national artists. Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek echoed these sentiments, stating that the festival is one of the state's premier cultural events and highlights the unique voice of Queensland artists.

Bott believes that festivals have the potential to change the way inhabitants explore their hometown, offering fresh perspectives and conversations. She sees the festival as a pipeline of work, crucial for discussions about future events like the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The government is proud to support exceptional artists and companies for the festival, with plans to continue enhancing Queensland's cultural industries. Despite the challenges of balancing costs with audience spending capacity, Brisbane Festival's ticket sales have been strong, with some productions like AFLW play Strong is the New Pretty and the Choir of Man cabaret receiving overwhelming success.

The festival's free events have also exceeded projections, demonstrating a significant public response to arts and culture. Bott expressed her gratitude for the public's continued support and the gratifying nature of seeing so many Queenslanders engage with arts and culture.