Pacific song project

To celebrate the unesco international year of indigenous languages 2019, the australian department of foreign affairs and trade ran a series of initiatives highlighting language and its centrality to culture and identity. one of the key initiatives for the year was the attendance of the combined soul harvest and navataparop gospel choirs from vanuatu at the annual desert song festival in alice springs where they sang in language with the central australian aboriginal women’s choir and the soweto gospel choir. the project celebrated the revival and preservation of indigenous languages, partnerships and women’s voices. the choir’s 14-day program included close to 40 events, mostly centred on the 10-day desert song festival. the annual festival draws storytellers, musicians, artists and audiences to experience a special showcase of musical talent presented mostly in language by vibrant and diverse communities. the 22-member soul harvest choir shared original songs in nakanamanga (their local language) and took home new songs in pitjantjatjarra, western arrernte, zulu and english. the program included technical workshops, masterclasses, formal and informal collaboration opportunities, media interviews, school visits and community engagement with artists, indigenous australians and pacific diaspora groups in australia. a highlight of the tour was the opportunity for soul harvest to perform on stage with the renowned soweto gospel choir at the araluen arts centre in alice springs, northern territory. the project encouraged cross cultural exchange and collaboration and build networks and relationships that both the choir can draw on in the future.