“Great Woman” visits for Nights on Crown Luminous Land

A six-metre tall illuminated puppet ‘Great Woman’ Marri Dyin will feature in Nights on Crown Luminous Land over three nights in Wollongong’s Crown Street Mall from 20 to 22 June.

Following the success of last year’s Nights on Crown event – Down the Rabbit Hole – this year’s event will feature Marri Dyin who will perform and move through the landscape, inviting community members and especially children to sit with her and share their hopes and dreams for the future. There will also be a range of performances, music, dance and tasty food on offer within a nature inspired landscape.

Marri Dyin is a contemporary female spirit that honours the Australia’s First Nations women who has performed in Sydney during the Vivid festival. Luminous Land opening night (Thursday 20 June) has a strong cultural focus welcoming Marri Dyin on to country. The program and design of this year’s Nights on Crown Luminous Land, taking place from 6-9pm, incorporates arts and culture with a unique and inspirational experience for residents and visitors to our City.

Performers also include students from Warilla High School who have received puppeteer training with the opportunity to work alongside Erth’s professional puppeteering team during the event.

“Marri Dyin is a magnificent six-metre tall puppet operated by a team of puppeteers. She represents the unique and intangible value of our country and the indigenous heritage and stories,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“On the Thursday evening we will feature an Aboriginal Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dance performances and music performance by Kemblawarra Public School Choir, dance by Mark Mongta and the Illawarra Mob, and Zoe Brown, and live music by Buddy Walker and Emma Donovan— an all-inclusive family event.

“This is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate and learn about our common connection to nature, land and light.”

Marri Dyin is presented by Erth Visual and Physical and Wollongong City Council. The unique Wollongong performance has been named ‘Ngaramura’ (‘See the Way’ in Dharawal language). This project was initially commissioned by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority for exhibition in Sydney, Australia, in 2018.

“It is a great honour to bring Marri Dyin to Dharawal country and I hope that this will be the first of many visits she makes to communities all over the country,” Scott Wright, Artistic Director, Erth – Visual & Physical, said.

“An incredible team of designers and makers have contributed to her creation, requiring new concepts in engineering and construction and it is this spirit of ingenuity, creativity and innovation that allows Marri Dyin to exist in the first place. She is a result of the effort of many people which is really one of her strongest messages—together we can achieve the impossible and together we can do anything.

“Also, it requires a team of 10 people to bring her to life when she is in performance mode.”

Local cafes, bars and some food outlets will be staying open for great dining in the city centre. Eat Street Market by Foragers will operate on the Thursday night and an on-site bar will operate in the lower Crown Street Mall on both Friday and Saturday nights.

“I encourage all community members to put on your woollies, a cap and join in the fun, bring the family, and share your pics and videos on your social media,” Cr Bradbery said.

For more information please visit Wollongong City Centre website or call Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111.

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