Arts move

NZSPA Reporter

The most important step forward in Australian student cultural activity is scheduled for Sydney this May vacation. It is the Australian Universities Arts Festival, to which it is hoped to lure many New Zealand students.

In the past, each intervarsity cultural group has met separately to form a small festival of its own. This year these festivals will be held together, Performances by University drama groups, folksingers, and classical musicians, literary seminars, a photography, sculpture and art exhibition and a festival of studentmade films are innovations.

Tentative plans already include a spectacular "destructive art" display, a "sound and image" presentation and experimental productions involving two or more art forms (e.g. drama and music combined in an evening of Baroque entertainment; poetry readings and combined with jazz).

Negotiations are proceeding with Universities in America. Britain, New Zealand and several Asian countries, and the Festival planners are hopeful of attracting several overseas entries.

The festival will be held on campus at both Sydney and New South Wales Universities from May 25 to June 3. Spectators will be made especially welcome, with special lowcart accommodation arranged for those who desire it. Negotiations with air lines have enabled the organisers to offer specially reduced travel rates for student visitors.