October 19 - November 4, 2000

"The Melbourne Festival, under the artistic direction of Jonathan Mills, has been commissioned by the State Government of Victoria to plan and manage major cultural events to celebrate Australia's Centenary of Federation in 2001. Federation Festival 9 to 27 May, 2001 The Federation Festival celebrates the Centenary of the opening and sitting of Australia's first Commonwealth Parliament. Beginning on the Centenary itself, and concluding on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum giving the vote to indigenous Australians, the Festival will be a wide-ranging celebration of Australian culture.
A number of Australia's most important artists and companies have been commissioned to present concerts, plays, exhibitions, opera and dance on the themes of Federation, the Australian story, and the country's future as a nation.
The Federation Festival also features the Alfred Deakin Lectures, a series of lectures and discussions named after Australia's second Prime Minister. Speakers will include world leaders in science, technology, the arts and humanities, economics and finance, the environment, and the law.

Melbourne Festival 11 October to 3 November, 2001 A major celebration of culture, the 2001 Melbourne Festival will reflect on Australia's place in the world as the Centenary of Federation draws to a close. Boasting comprehensive programs

of music, opera, theatre, dance, new media, visual arts and outdoor entertainment from around the world, the Festival will feature the largest-ever contingent of major international companies, together with the finest artistic talent in Australia.

CONTACT

Melbourne Festival
P.O. Box 10
Flinders Lane
Melbourne Victoria 8009
Australia
www.melbournefestival.com.au

TRADE - Simon Bogle
Marketing Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9662 4242
Facsimile: +61 3 9663 4141
email: s.bogle@melbournefestival.com.au

MEDIA - Ree Izett
Public Affairs Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9652 8639
Facsimile: +61 3 9663 4141
email: r.izett@melbournefestival.com.au