Festival program

A stitch in time

Wollongong City Council is proud to present this year’s Viva la Gong Festival which will celebrate the power of community spirit.

Viva 2009 explores the cultural threads which connect the past and present and hold communities together in the region.

Many families living in Wollongong share common stories, particularly of migration and working in the mining and textile industries. The festival will uphold this theme in all its free events, workshops, performances and installations.

There are a number of ways for the community to get involved in Viva. Whether that’s coming out on the festival day or taking part in pre-festival workshops in guerilla knitting, crochet and hip hop.

The festivities will begin in Crown St Mall on Saturday, 7 November at 10am with a gypsy inspired procession that will wind down to MacCabe Park where you'll be able to enjoy roaming circus performances, craft workshops, food and craft stalls, rides and a main-stage concert featuring a great mix of local and national musicians.

While the festival hub will be McCabe Park, satellite events will take place in key locations like the Crown Street Mall, Wollongong City Gallery and the city centre.

The Viva 09 program promises to appeal to all ages and be entertaining and accessible for all. I look forward to seeing the whole community get together for Viva 09.

David Farmer
Wollongong City Council General Manager