The City of Perth has announced it will sponsor three major festivals and events in 2022 and 2023, including Fringe World and Perth Festival next year and the World Transplant Games in 2023.
Lord Mayor of the City of Perth, Basil Zempilas said major events were critical to Perth’s economy as they attracted local and overseas visitors and supported the arts and cultural industries.
“The City of Perth has demonstrated with the AFL Grand Final that we know how to attract people to great events,” Mr Zempilas said.
“Much of the activities that were held, such as the People’s Parade, were due to the energy and drive of the City of Perth and a demonstration we are the events heart of Western Australia.”
He said Perth was already home to the third-largest Fringe Festival in the world and to Perth Festival, the longest-running international arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
“We’re also known internationally for our world-class musicians and artists who thrive in the global music scene, and for the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts,” Mr Zempilas said.
Executive Director of Perth Festival, Nathan Bennett said he was delighted to be able to partner with the City of Perth again to present another event this summer.
“Festivals and major events bring enormous social and economic benefits to Perth by boosting community spirit, attracting visitors and stimulating local businesses,” Mr Bennett said.
“We thank the City for supporting us in this way,” he said.
Mr Zempilas said planning was under way for both Perth Festival and Fringe World to adhere to the State Government’s COVID-safe event guidelines at the time of each event.
He said Transplant Australia was also awarded $100,000 to hold the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth.
Held across the globe, the 2023 event will be the third time the Games have come to Australia with events previously held in Sydney (1997) and the Gold Coast (2009).
