A message from the festival director

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 24

A message from the festival director

The word “festival” means a celebration ... a gathering for the purpose of merry-making ... a joyous occasion of music, drama, poetry and dance. The idea of a South Canterbury festival was, at first, a light-hearted suggestion after a series of lunchtime poetry readings which we had enjoyed very much. It became a serious possibility after the annual Daffodil Day last year at Holme Station, when we realised what a beautiful setting it was, how we would like more people to enjoy it, and how suitable it would be for a festival of the arts, being a rural setting but close to the city. We had heard of other festivals in New Zealand and in the South Island, but

had to do quite a bit of homework to give substance to our ideas. Many towns and cities in Europe have regular festivals, and earlier this year I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night of the Avignon festival in the south of France, where I was caught up in one of the most spontaneous, joyous gatherings I have ever experienced. There were singers, instrumentalists, jugglers and painters, and a carousel and a Punch and Judy show for the children. The tables outside the cafes and restaurants were full, with people dining before going on to the opera or theatre. I stood there in the midst of all that sound and colour

and thought that if we could achieve even a little of that atmosphere, our festival would be successful. So we have tried to arrange as much variety of entertainment as possible, from a Maori cultural concert to classical ballet; from chamber music to poetry and satire; and from storytelling to a puppet show for the children. Canterbury vintners will

set up stalls for tasting of their wines, and food will be available. On the Sunday we can take more people — up to a thousand if the weather is fine ... a family day, and for this reason we have tried to keep the prices as low as possible so that all the entertainments can be seen and enjoyed throughout the afternoon. It would be fun to bring a

picnic tea and have it under the trees before we wind up the festival with dancing in the homestead. The generosity, encouragement and interest of our major sponsor — BP New Zealand, Ltd — have been very important, and we are grateful to it and to our other sponsors for making a Holme Station Festival possible. — Dawn Somerville.