The Honourable Rachel Nolan
15/04/2011
Arts Minister Rachel Nolan is inviting Queenslanders to come armed with their top ideas with today’s announcement of the 2011 Ideas Festival program.
“The Ideas Festival – 19 to 22 May at the State Library – is shaping up as a great event with more than 50 free sessions, 75 speakers, special events, workshops, forums, and screenings,” Ms Nolan said.
“The Ideas Festival provides an opportunity for Queenslanders to connect locally, nationally and globally with innovative and diverse ideas and thinkers.
“Community will play a crucial part in the programming, with events such as the Soapbox, the Flood of Ideas exhibition and the Future Thinking schools program providing a platform for expression and discussion of ideas.
“There is also a focus on young people this year, with events and activities to engage their minds and their hands in the Urban Garden.
Children and their parents can dig, plant and eat in the garden to learn how their food is grown and where it comes from.”
This year’s program ranges from serious discussion to comedy.
Highlights include CSIRO’s Stefan Wajkowicz presenting on Environmental triage and Carmen Lawrence’s Sustainable growth to fun sessions such as Claudia O’Doherty’s What is soil erosion?
State Librarian Lea Giles-Peters said the Ideas Festival would offer inspiration and food for thought.
“Maggie Beer will join us for lunch and bring to us her ideas about sustainable eating while the Largest Ballet Class in the World, held on Kurilpa Bridge, is a fantastic demonstration of the power of collective action,” she said.
“With more than 70 speakers in the program there is indeed something for everyone.
“At the festival, we can hear Danielle Crismani’s remarkable story and how she believes food can bring a community together; consider Anthony Ryan’s stance on poverty and homelessness in our own backyard; discover what a paleoclimatologist is; think about the environmental considerations surrounding death and even find out what it is that makes some people so incredibly happy.
“The festival features many sessions, including the thought-provoking film series and the Deepen the Conversation lectures which are happening in the lead-up to the festival and afterwards.
“The State Library is committed to providing an ongoing forum for ideas, creating a home for discussions such as these all year round,” Ms Giles-Peters said.
Special events at the Ideas Festival include:
In conversation with Maggie – This is a Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal fundraising lunch with Australian culinary icon and cook Maggie Beer on Saturday 20 May. Tickets $110, all profits donated. Bookings online at www.ideasfestival.eventbrite.com
Queensland Ballet’s Largest Ballet Class in the World – Aiming to put a smile on a lot of Queenslanders’ faces as well as break the Guinness World Record, this ballet class on the Kurilpa Bridge is open to anyone aged over six years, and all levels of experience. This is also our big chance to put Brisbane on the international dance map. Held in partnership with the Queensland Ballet www.queenslandballet.com.au
Soapbox – This is a chance for people to steal the spotlight and get their two minutes on stage to present their ideas. Visitors can register online prior to the festival or on the day to secure their spot. Heats throughout the day will determine a shortlist of speakers who will battle for the opportunity to present to the evening keynote audience.
Sunday Roast with Rod Quantock – Comedian Rod Quantock will wrap up the Festival over a special Sunday roast lunch. Tickets $35, bookings online through www.ideasfestival.eventbrite.com
For full program details head to www.ideasfestival.com.au
