Pachyderms parade to international celebration

Pachyderms parade to international celebration

Motorists should not be surprised to see large elephants lumbering through Brisbane streets in the early dawn on Sunday, October 11.

Five-metre mother, father and baby elephant sculptures will be slowly transported from Maleny to miss powerlines and avoid damage to the delicate bamboo and tissue creations.

The electrically-lit sculptures will be a highlight of a free International Fair on Sunday October 11, jointly staged by the University of Queensland and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and featuring the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

The UQ/ABC International Fair is a celebration of cultural diversity to be held from noon to about 7pm in the Great Court of the St Lucia campus.

Maleny theatre company director Neil Cameron has created the sculptures for a light show in the University's sandstone-cloistered Great Court.

Some 50 ten-year-old children from Holy Family School, Indooroopilly will form a lantern procession during a Symphony at Sunset from 6.15pm played by the 80-piece Queensland Symphony Orchestra on a purpose-built covered stage. A lantern-making tent will be set up in the Great Court, so children attending the International Fair will be able to make their own creations and join the procession later in the day.

"It should be quite lovely," Mr Cameron said. "The Great Court is one of Brisbane's most beautiful spaces and the lantern parade will enhance the occasion."

Mr Cameron has directed theatrical events at Australian outdoor settings from the desert, to lakes, to Katherine Gorge, since arriving from Scotland 20 years ago. One of his most spectacular creations is the 700-person Woodford fire event, part of the annual Woodford Folk Festival which attracts 16,000 people.

"Fire is a wonderful symbol of transformation and people just seem to love it, but I must stress that safety is a big consideration with all theatrical fire activities," he said.

Other fair highlights will include performances by members of the ABC PlaySchool program at 12.30pm and 2.30pm, Brazilian drummers, street theatre and roving entertainers, face painting, and food and craft stalls from many nations.

In addition to normal bus services, free Brisbane City Council buses will depart the Benson Street, Toowong bus stop for the UQ/ABC International Fair every half hour from 12 noon to 8pm on Sunday.

Media contacts: Fair co-ordinator Dr Nadja Alexander telephone 3365 2219
Mr Cameron telephone 0418 733 551 or 07 5496 3052.