Wonder: South Australia’s History Festival 1 - 31 May 2023

What: South Australia's History Festival 2023
Who: History Trust of South Australia
When: 1 - 31 May 2023
Where: Different events across SA
Visit: https://festival.history.sa.gov.au/
 
Wonder: South Australia's History Festival 2023
The History Festival of South Australia is back this year with a series of incredible events centered around the theme of "Wonder"! The captivating Festival invites everyone to learn about values and meanings while also understanding the complexities of history to develop a sound sense of wisdom for the present and the future.
 
All visitors will get the chance to experience and embrace local history while being able to explore the world of cultural heritage and even storytelling! The History Trust of South Australia anticipates more than 100,000 visitors across all 520 events taking place in the state throughout the month of May. Everyone is welcome to the Festival. Everyone interested in history or seeking an intriguing or unique experience! Visit the 2023 History Festival to learn more about how history continues to evolve.

The 2023 History Festival will offer visitors an opportunity to explore and comprehend the dynamic aspect of history as well as a variety of learning opportunities, viewpoints, and voices.
 
“The real heroes of this festival are regular people from the community of historic societies, local historians and groups, community museums, and history enthusiasts who, through the Festival, draw attention to the rich history and stories of our State." ~Greg Mackie OAM, History Trust CEO
 
Greg Mackie OAM feels that a month-long celebration of all things historical is what South Australia needs after the COVID-19 pandemic to restore normalcy to South Australia's event culture!
 
Focus Programs
Check out the 82 pages of fascinating events at the festival! Five sub-categories of Focus Programs have been created to make navigation easier. With the help of these programs, audiences will be connected to all the events they are interested in or wish to attend. These categories will also amplify voices related to the key causes.
 
The Focus Programs of May 2023:

• Rainbow History
• Children and Family
• First Nations
• From Many Places (supported by Multicultural Communities Council of SA, a Focus Program Partner)
• Open Doors (supported by Office for Aging Well and Seniors Card, a Focus Program Partner) 

A number of exciting, diverse and spectacular events will be held across the state starting right before month of May, such as the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Goolwa.
 
“There are events for all interest groups; look out for art installations, poetry evenings, eccentric plays, lively performances, and guided or independent tours. And there’s talks and debates – often in new and unusual spaces. The 2023 program boasts a rich offering, with multiple events celebrating some of South Australia’s most iconic buildings, their architecture and the stories that impart their unique character. Not to be missed are numerous Devonshire Teas on offer at some of these picturesque and historic settings and History Festival events." ~ Paul Rees, History Trust Head of Museums, Marketing and Major Events
 
History Trust of South Australia
The History Festival has grown significantly over the past twenty years, according to the History Trust of SA. The History Trust and the Festival has grown from a single week in 2003 to one of the most well-known and well-attended month-long autumnal festivals. It is now one of the largest state-based events of its kind in Australia and one of the most recognizable occasions on South Australia's cultural calendar.
 
The 2023 History Festival was designed by taking into consideration the various key objects that represent important South Australian stories from the South Australian Aviation Museum, the State History Collection and a private collection.
 
This resulted in five remarkable photographs to complement the five unique program covers for the 2023 History Festival. The artefacts were paired with South Australians who have deep ties to the photographed objects. The selected images are emotionally engaging and inspire a sense of wonder.
 
Other institutions
Numerous renowned Adelaide public institutions will participate in the Festival as well, including the Adelaide Zoo, which will present a "Dark History Tour," the Australian Space Discovery Centre, which will explore the early history of stargazing with "'Twinkle Little Star...': Early Space Tracking in Australia," and one of South Australia's famous wineries, which will present "A Taste of Penfolds History."
 
For a dark tourism experience, South Australia's spookier side will be on show as well providing ghostly cemetery tours in Stirling, Goolwa, the CBD and other locations.
 
Additionally, a writing program called Words at West Terrace is open for all aspiring writers who want to learn more about the writing industry! Check out the workshop to draw inspiration from morbid and macabre.
 
Sponsors
The Freemasons of SA and NT, the presenting partner, the City of Adelaide, the major partner, and a number of partners of the History Festival have provided support and helped make the 2023 History Festival possible.
 
For more information
Over 40% of the Festival's events will be held in regional SA. The hard copies of the program are available at Foodland supermarkets, public libraries and South Australia's History Festival event venues.
 
To view the entire listing, the description of events and more information about the festival, check out: festival.history.sa.gov.au.