tuylupa Premiere

Media release – MONA FOMA & Tasdance, 21 July 2022

tuylupa

The world premiere of tuylupa—a performance work by pakana kanaplila, Soma Lumia and Tasdance—will be staged at Theatre Royal in nipaluna / Hobart on 21 and 22 October 2022.

The production is a new dance work that carries themes of community, connection, and responsibility to Country. tuylupa was originally scheduled as part of Mona Foma’s 2022 program in January, but was postponed due to the pandemic. Using dance, music and projections, performers will trace the sixty thousand year journey of the palawa and the island of lutruwita / Tasmania.

Sinsa Mansell, independent cultural practitioner and co-founder of pakana kanaplila said: “pakana kanaplila, Tasmanian Aboriginal traditional/contemporary dance troupe whose members are located all over lutruwita / Tasmania, have been working for decades to reclaim traditional dance practices. Their incredible commitment to the physical expression of culture and ceremony has led to this debut on the main stage.

“tuylupa is the spark of fire. Through a weightless universe the spark of fire travels slowly drawing all elements together. The eternal spark that’s been handed down since the beginning of time through generations of ceremonial knowledge custodians is a reminder of responsibility, that we are a country that is ancient and culturally significant. tuylupa is born from deep time, when the sun and moon lapse there is creation of the oldest living culture.

“All of the tuylupa elements, language, story, song, and kanaplila respectfully honours our elders, and our identity.”

Venue: Theatre Royal Studio Theatre, nipaluna / Hobart

Dates and times: Friday 21 October, 7pm & Saturday 22 October, 2pm + 7pm

Duration: 60 minutes

Tickets: $25-$45

Bookings: tickets available from Theatre Royal

Mona Foma returns to Launceston from 17–19 February and nipaluna / Hobart from 24–26 February 2023.