WOMAD New Zealand is famous for showcasing top artists from around the world and Aotearoa. The 2020 festival is no exception and will feature close to 100 hours of music, dance and voices across eight stages. Over three days Ngāmotu’s stunning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands will once again be transformed into a village of colour, energy and inclusion.
To whet the appetite ahead of the full 2020 festival announce on Tuesday, 15th October, WOMAD New Zealand is thrilled to share two of the international artists performing and the first two World Of Words artists for the 16th year anniversary of the festival.
For 2020, the mesmerising duo of Welsh harpist Catrin Finch & Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita will be making a welcome festival appearance as will living legends of gospel music Blind Boys of Alabama.
“WOMAD NZ is one of my favourite WOMAD experiences. I especially love the chance to celebrate the Maori culture with others”.- Seckou Keita
“We’re so looking forward to making our NZ debut as a duo at WOMAD NZ. WOMAD is a glorious celebration of global music and this trip has been on our bucket list for some time! Can’t wait!” – Catrin Finch
“The Blind Boys Of Alabama are
excited to return to New Zealand for the first time in a number of years. and
we are even more excited that we are returning to play at the WOMAD festival.
come see us there!” – Jimmy Carter, Original founding
member of “The Blind Boys”
The ever-expanding
World Of Words stage, now held on the sun-drenched lawn of the Kunming
Garden will be hosting beloved entertainer Te Radar and
pacific poet Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh.
WOMAD New Zealand is also elated to announce two new additions to the
festival for 2020.
STEAM
Lab
Being hosted on a brand new stage in the tranquil setting of the Pinetum
is WOMAD New Zealand’s first-ever STEAM Lab. Come and hear
speakers from Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics fields
talk about incredible breakthroughs and their journey of innovation.
BOOK
CLUB
Introducing WOMAD New Zealand’s inaugural Book Club. The book chosen
for the 2020 festival is We Can Make A Life by Chessie
Henry. Book Club aims to bring people together to express
their perspectives and explore the themes within the book while getting
insights from Chessie herself.
WOMAD New Zealand remains a place to bring artists together from all over
the globe to break down barriers, educate, inform and inspire. Come and lose
yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes that blend together to make up the
vibrant WOMAD experience!
