Melbourne Storm premiership player Josh Addo-Carr has joined the list of speakers at Parrtjima – A Festival in Light - a free, 10-night festival that will take place in the heart of Australia.
The only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima will showcasing the oldest continuous culture on earth through the newest technology.
It includes a program packed with large-scale light installations, art, music, interactive workshops, films and the spoken word, centred around the magnificent illumination of two kilometres of the ancient MacDonnell Ranges.
Addo-Carr, from the Gunggandji, Birrbay and Wiradjuri people of New South Wales, will take the Telstra NRL Premiership Trophy with him to Alice Springs.
He will join Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts to delve into his sporting career, and the expectations and challenges he has faced, and continues to face after signing a four-year deal that will see him move to the Canterbury Bulldogs from 2022.
Those challenges include ending up in a police cell in 2012, a day that changed his life forever.
“I’ve seen images of Parrtjima and it looks amazing. I’m stoked to be involved this year and look forward to sharing my story with people,” he said.
“I feel really privileged to be part of an event that celebrates Aboriginal culture in such a unique way.”
Josh Addo-Carr Storm Winger
Addo-Carr comes from a sporting family – his grandfather was legendary boxer Wally Carr, who was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010 and passed away in 2019.
Viewed as one of the fastest players in the NRL, Addo-Carr has openly shared the affect his grandfather had on his life, and how he dealt with his loss.
Parrtjima is supported by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and produced by Creative Directors AGB Events.
NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said Josh would be a great addition to an already fascinating program.
“Josh is one of the NRL’s top players. That achievement in itself is reason enough to listen to what he has to say. Add in the challenges he has faced in his personal life, and the loss of the leader of his family, and his story becomes even more personal and poignant,” Mr Watsford said.
“Parrtjima is the perfect forum for an in-depth, intimate chat such as this, and we’re sure listeners will walk away with a renewed respect for the dedication it takes to overcome a range of challenges and become a first-class professional athlete.”
Parrtjima runs from 9-18 April 2021 at Alice Springs Desert Park, Todd Mall and Araluen Arts Centre. The theme this year is Future Kultcha, which focuses on intergenerational wisdom. Register for free at www.parrtjima.com.au
