Dark Mofo blow for Tasmanian tourism

The organisers of Hobart winter festival Dark Mofo have announced that the event will pause in 2024 “for a period of renewal”.

Dark Mofo intends to reshape a more sustainable model for a full return in 2025, and set the foundation for the next 10 years.

Despite achieving record attendances and box office results this year, organisers said a reset was essential due to rising costs and changing circumstances.

An agreement has, however, been reached with the Tasmanian Government to hold two aspects of the festival in 2024 - the Winter Feast and the Nude Solstice Swim.

These two key events will also coincide with the opening of a new major exhibition at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona).

Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite said that the State Government had been proactive in offering solutions to proceed with the festival in 2024. But ultimately the organisers opted for a reduced scope that would honour Dark Mofo’s commitment to local community and small businesses, and give the organisation the time and space for planning for the future. 

“We are thankful for the support and assistance that the State Government has shown in response to our need to reshape for the future,” Twite said.

“Dark Mofo has always been dedicated to enriching and transforming lives through ambitious art and ideas. We want to make sure that we have a festival that continues to deliver incredible art and artists, that continues to expand its artistic boundaries and remains a beacon of creativity, innovation, and cultural significance.

“While this was a tough decision, it ensures we move forward in a viable manner. The fallow year will enable us to secure the future of Dark Mofo and its return at full force in 2025.

“We are excited that in June 2024 - amidst the rebirth and renewal of Dark Mofo - that Tasmanians and visitors alike will still be able to meet and commune around the fires of Winter Feast and cast off the weight of another year at the Nude Solstice Swim once more.” 

Dates for the 2024 Winter Feast and Nude Solstice Swim will be announced soon.

www.darkmofo.net.au 

Tourism Tasmania CEO Sarah Clark says that organisation will respond to changes in the festival programming and ensure Tasmania stays "top of mind" for Australians next winter.

Tourism Tasmania will Increase investment in its Off Season program; pursue a new strategic airline partnership to drive bookings to the state across the entire winter and deliver a one-off industry content program helping support the promotion of Off Season offers.

We shall see.

Culinary royalty to grace Dark Mofo Winter Feast in Hobart

Hobart's Dark Mofo festival has pulled off a culinary coup by enticing one of Europe's leading chefs to Tasmania for its Winter Feast.

This culinary superstar is not from France, or Italy, but from Slovenia: world renowned Ana Roš from Hiša Franko has for the past decade been regarded as one of the world's most innovative pan handlers.

She will join Rodney Dunn and Stephen Peak from The Agrarian Kitchen to showcase the best of Tasmanian produce in an exciting collaboration.

For those not familiar with Roš, she is the chef/patron of Slovenia’s two Michelin starred Hiša Franko and has been named ambassador of gastronomic tourism by the World Tourism Organisation.

Roš featured in the Netflix documentary Chef's Table, and named world's best female chef by The World's 50 Best Restaurants academy in 2017.

Her restaurant Hiša Franko was named one of the world’s best 30 restaurants by Travel + Leisure.

This remarkable talent speaks Slovenian, English, Italian, French, Croatian and Spanish fluently and "some" German

The City of Hobart Dark Mofo Winter Feast returns for its 10th year with eight nights of feasting and entertainment over two weeks.

The dates are June 8-11 and June 15-18 and there will be 90 stallholders, fire, music, and fun.

The events will be spreading across Salamanca Lawns and Princes Wharf Shed 1 on the Hobart waterfront.

“Both Ana Roš and The Agrarian Kitchen have elevated regional dining in their respective countries by taking a bold and innovative approach to their food," says Winter Feats food curator Amanda Vallis.

"We’re thrilled to be able to highlight such incredible artists of the culinary world.”

The Agrarian Kitchen duo and Roš will be delivering a four-course menu so guests can expect Slovenian-inspired dishes made with seasonal Tasmanian produce.

The dinner will take place in a newly constructed cooking-and-dining structure that seats 50 people around the perimeter, providing an intimate dining experience.

Read more on the website.