Ayers Rock Resort is set to host the inaugural Tjungu Festival from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th April 2014.
Tjungu (pronounced tjoo-ngoo) means meeting together in local Anangu language and will celebrate the best of Australian Indigenous culture coming together with the backdrop of Uluru.
The Tjungu Festival forms part of Ayers Rock Resort’s line up of major events in 2014 including the Outback Fest in May, the Australian Outback Marathon in July and an Astronomy Weekend in August.
Tjungu will feature a fashion parade hosted by top Indigenous model Samantha Harris who will also mentor other young Indigenous Women; the Tjungu Cup, an Indigenous AFL match featuring local Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytajatjara football teams mentored by Indigenous AFL hero Michael O’Loughlin; an exclusive dining experience under the stars “Tastes of Tjungu” hosted by celebrity chef Mark Olive that features a bush food master class and entertainment by Shellie Morris together with the Mutitjulu Choir and other performances throughout the weekend from a selection of traditional and contemporary Indigenous musicians including Casey Donovan.
“The exceptional quality of the Indigenous Tourism experience at the Resort is already well established and is reflected in a number of recent awards including Best Indigenous Tourism Experience in the Northern Territory,” said Ray Stone, Voyages’ Executive General Manager Sales Marketing Distribution.
“The creation of a comprehensive cultural Festival such as Tjungu is an essential element in taking that experience to an even higher level.
“Also important, echoing our Free Indigenous Activity program at the Resort, the majority of Tjungu’s activities are free to all guests which makes this a great value weekend. The only exceptions to this are the Taste of Tjungu and the Uluru Sunset Canapés event,” Stone said.
Other Festival highlights include a local Anangu welcome to country with Inma dance, lively interactive market precinct where Indigenous artists will showcase their work and traditional bush food can be sampled, and an Indigenous short film festival.
When combined with the location at the spiritual heart of Australia together with all the regular popular activities available at Ayers Rock Resort such as Camel Rides, Harley Davidson Tours and the sparkling swimming pools at every hotel, it is a weekend not to be missed.