The South Australian Government has been a partner of the now four-day festival since it began in Adelaide in 1992.
WOMAD – standing for World of Music and Dance – festivals first began in the UK in 1982 and are now held in multiple locations around the world including New Plymouth in New Zealand, Santiago in Chile, multiple locations in South Africa and Rome, Italy.
“WOMADelaide has well and truly cemented its home in South Australia, another five years locked in – building on an incredible 32 years in our state,” said South Australia’s premier, Peter Malinauskas.
“We choose to invest in world leading arts events like WOMADelaide because they add to the richness of our community and deliver significant economic benefits.
“WOMADelaide is a significant event for attracting interstate and international visitors, creating jobs, and injecting more than $35 million into our state’s economy in 2023 alone.”
Chair of the SA Major Events Attraction Committee, Leon Bignell, said WOMADelaide was one of the state’s biggest drawcards for interstate and international visitors.
“It’s important we continue to invest dollars and energy into this amazing annual festival.”
WOMADelaide began as a three-day biennial festival in 1992 and became annual in 2004 and increased from three to four days in 2010.
“WOMAD here in Adelaide is a jewel in WOMAD’s crown,” said the global chief operating officer of WOMAD, Mike Large.
“Over the last 42 years we’ve presented WOMAD in over 35 counties, and on our global stage – currently spanning four continents and both hemispheres – it’s not only our longest partnership but also longest running festival in the same location anywhere, Adelaide’s stunning Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla.”
