Published: 22 October 2013
Country: UK, London
Some of the world’s foremost indigenous musicians, dancers and choreographers, theatre-makers, visual artists, film-makers and cooks are coming to London to “perform and inform, to exhibit and explain, to debate and celebrate”. It is time to celebrate our ancient cultures. It is time for Origins – Festival of First Nations from 23rd of October until 3rd of November.
“We need to remember that we need bridges and reconciliation with indigenous people who were colonized. And the colonization came from here”, said Michael Walling, founder of Border Crossings and the art director of Origins Festival. Talking to the Media Diversity Institute (MDI), he stressed how important is to remember that there is a different way of looking at the world and that we need to embrace and celebrate ancient cultures.
“But things are changing. Slowly, the world is waking up. There are more indigenous political movements and a global movement aimed to protect indigenous people and cultures. Recently, the world has become more aware of indigenous people because they always lived in the harmony with the nature and that is what we need to learn if we want to tackle the problem of climate change”, says Michael Walling.
Ancient cultures include Aboriginal Australian, Inuit, Māori, Maya, Native American, Pacific Islanders, Papuan, Sámi, Saharawi, Gaelic. Performers and artists from all these cultures can be seen in London at the various events from tomorrow, 23rd of October.
Origins Festival is organized by Border Crossings in association with the Indigeneity Project at Royal Holloway, University of London.