Melbourne Knowledge Week has something for everyone

Melbourne Knowledge Week has something for everyone
Carol Saffer

Melburnians and visitors alike will have the opportunity to experience the innovations and inventions shaping the city’s future during Melbourne Knowledge Week from Monday, May 9 to Sunday, May 15.

Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp said there would be activities for thinkers, innovators and explorers of all ages. Best of all, more than 80 per cent of the program is free.

“We know innovation is critical to ensure Melbourne remains a top destination for investment and employment. We’re delighted to deliver an event that showcases the world-class experts operating right here on our doorstep,” Cr Capp said.

Melbourne Knowledge Week, narrm ngarrgu, begins on the State Library forecourt with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with the Djirri Djirri dancers.

Moving inside the library, musician and social historian Jessie Lloyd will deliver a keynote presentation on songs that integrate with Australian history and highlight corners of our history that haven’t been known about or explored.

The stories and the songs are based on her Mission Songs Project which researched and revealed the daily life of Australian Aboriginal people on the missions, settlements and reserves from 1901 to 1967.

Ms Lloyd said in a time of great distress, these truthful songs were surprisingly filled with optimism and hope,

“The songs will sound so much better when you know the stories behind them,” Ms Lloyd said.

Stories Around the Levantine Table is a series of events throughout the week that involves storytelling about Palestinian food.

Palestinian artist Aseel Tayah will explore the intrinsic connection between food, knowledge, and language through an immersive experience.

She leads an organisation called Bukjeh, an Arabic word that means a small package of belongings carried by refugees and travellers.

Taking place at Queen Victoria Market, Ms Tayah and other members of Bukjeh will bring different cultures together with stories about Palestinian food and ingredients.

“We want to bring people and hearts together in one place, having people listen to each other and share a meal with someone they have never met before,” Ms Tayah said.

The City of Melbourne will host more than 100 interactive events, workshops, and performances throughout the week, with Knowledge Hubs set up at the State Library Victoria, QV Melbourne, Wesley Place, Docklands and Carlton.

The City of Melbourne’s education and innovation portfolio lead Cr Davydd Griffiths said the week would explore exciting opportunities, tackle challenges and build the skills needed to shape our future.

“We want to support inquisitive minds and encourage learning at all ages, and this event is the ideal forum for our great thinkers and learners to come together to exchange ideas,” he said.

For the first time, narrm ngarrgu | Melbourne Knowledge Week will carry a dual name in Woi Wurrung and English, following consultation with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Owners.

The four themes of the event will also be dual named in Woi Wurrung and English: marra ba gurrkwugel (community and culture), biik (Earth), tartbanerra (economy) and parren (technology).

Tickets are on sale from Thursday, April 21 •

For more information: mkw.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Like us on Facebook