Indigenous Australian musician Gurrumul performs in Makassar

The Australian Embassy Jakarta is proud to present Gurrumul, a well renowned Indigenous Australian musician, at the Makassar Jazz Festival on Saturday night, 1 November as part of Embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program 2014.

Gurrumul’s powerfully emotive, high tenor voice is famous both in Australia and around the world. Most of his songs are sung in Galpu, the language of his Yolgnu ancestors from the north of Australia, and tell stories of identity, spirit and connection with their country. One of his first songs, and the only one sung in English, “I was Born Blind” is from his debut album “Gurrumul”, and sold half a million copies worldwide, reaching Triple Platinum status in Australia.

Gurrumul is thrilled to be a part of the festival in Makassar, in a city with longstanding historical connections and cultural ties with his people. The first contact between Australia and Indonesia is believed to have occurred during trading between Makassarese people and Australian Indigenous people in the 1700s or earlier.

To further build on the cultural ties between both countries, Gurrumul will perform and collaborate with local musicians at the festival including singers, pui pui players and drummers from La’Biri.

The Australian Embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program 2014 runs from March through to November and includes music, visual art exhibitions, dance, literature, textiles, sport and a science and innovation seminar series. The program also includes arts residencies and exchanges involving artists from both countries.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is generously supported by the ANZ Bank, the Australia-Indonesia Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Curtin University, Deakin University, Ernst and Young, Flinders University, Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland and the University of Tasmania.

Media Enquiries:
Sanchi Davis, First Secretary (Cultural) tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 959 0304