Whittlesea’s Into the Light festival on Sunday has “cycles of change” as its theme and invites the community to welcome the new life and energy of spring.
The festival began in 2011 in response to the bushfires that devastated vast swathes of Melbourne’s north and the Kinglake Ranges. It brought people together to look forward and acknowledge the cycles of change.
Each year since, people from across Melbourne have paraded together as a personal, public and collective ritual to welcome the end of winter, reflect on the effects enforced changes have on everyday lives, and think about the future. A lantern parade at dusk symbolises walking together out of the darkness of winter into the light of springtime.
Schoolchildren across the city have been decorating lanterns in readiness. Lantern- making sessions have also been used as an opportunity to talk about safety and fire.
People can decorate their own lanterns before the parade starts. There will be plenty of free activities and live music by emerging local performers. The activities at Whittlesea Showgrounds start at 3.30pm.
Helen Grimaux
