Greetings! Werte!
As we have been diving into winter, the last few weeks has seen a decided change in our customers—a lot of you are wearing beanies! And so it should be as we approach the 25th Beanie Festival here in Mparntwe, with this year’s theme of Yarning myths and legends. The opening gala, and announcement of this year’s winners, kicks off Friday 25 June from 6pm.
The festival exhibition, runs at Beanie Central at Araluen Arts Centre until 28 June (1am-5pm daily). As the organisers describe it: Mythology and folklore are woven into our history, memory and culture, and have been woven into the thousands of beanies, exhibition, workshops and events of the 25th Beanie Festival across the Araluen Cultural Precinct. Knitting needles have been clicking away and wool felted, summoning forth the gods and goddesses, the (super) heroes and demons, the mystical creatures and mythical forces, the ancient stories and their contemporary re-telling.
Stay warm and happy reading!
Bronwyn, John, Stephanie, Jo, Thor, Kelly Lee & Bernadette
Spotlight - Unity in Refugee Week 20-27 June
World Refugee Day—and the week that flows from it—has since 2001 been designated by the United Nations as a day to raise awareness of the situation of refugees. Events are held by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and civic groups worldwide to draw attention to the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons, who have been forced to flee their homes to escape war and persecution. And we should remember that a significant number of residents of Mparntwe, who make such important contributions to our community, have had experiences as refugees. The theme of this year’s Refugee Week is “Unity”, a sentiment we share here at Red Kangaroo Books!
Spotlight: The Dark Emu debate begins
One of Australia’s—and Red Kangaroo Books’—biggest sellers since its release has been Dark Emu, by Bruce Pascoe. This week, a major academic counter to many of Pascoe’s book is being released. Farmers or Hunter-gatherers? by anthropologist Peter Sutton and respected field archaeologist Keryn Walshe. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Pascoe has welcomed the debate.
Christine Nicholls, who many of you will remember for her time at Lajamanu and her work with Warlpiri women, in particular, has written a review of the book for The Conversation. LINK
A long term Mparnwe resident, Tim Rowse, has put in his two bob’s worth as well: LINK
For interested readers, contact Red Kangaroo Books to order copies of the book, published by Melbourne University Press last Wednesday.
