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The Giants Open Perth International Arts Festival

PERTH, Australia, Feb. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- An audience of 1.4 million experienced The Incredible and Phenomenal Journey of the Giants to the Streets of Perth, by France's Royal de Luxe, in a three-day free spectacular to open the 63rd Perth International Arts Festival on February 13.

Multimedia release: http://www.prnasia.com/mnr/perth_festival_2015_en.shtml

The people of Perth fill the streets as the Diver Giant takes his first steps through the city. Perth International Arts Festival.
The people of Perth fill the streets as the Diver Giant takes his first steps through the city. Perth International Arts Festival.
During a smoking ceremony by the Noongar people, the Giants' faces were painted as part of a traditional welcome.
During a smoking ceremony by the Noongar people, the Giants' faces were painted as part of a traditional welcome.

Visitors from around Australia and the world joined the entire city and fell in love with the 6-metre Little Girl Giant and stood in awe of the 11-metre high Diver Giant.

Over three days, the narrative wove together a commemoration of the Centenary of Anzac and the role of Australian troops in World War One, and a celebration of the Aboriginal community of Western Australia, and above all united the city in child-like wonder.

Perth Festival Artistic Director Jonathan Holloway said: "They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a city to raise a Giant.

"Perth came together for this event and everyone embraced it. This is one of the largest examples of the extraordinary transformational quality of art."

"It has been widely accepted that Perth will never forget the weekend that it walked with Giants."

Thousands saw moments of beauty, humour and wonder as the Little Girl Giant started her journey on Day One. When she woke up to the sounds of Noongar women singing to her, she had the audience enthralled. On Day Two, the Diver Giant awoke and set off in search of the Little Girl Giant, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles on his quest. The day ended with an emotional reunion of the two Giants which delighted the gathered crowds. Day Three saw the Giants participate in an Anzac commemorative ceremony before sailing off down the Swan River to continue their journey.

Other highlights included the presentation of the gift of a book to the Little Girl Giant made for her by the children of Perth, part of an extensive education program to run alongside the project.

Perth International Arts Festival is the longest running international arts festival in Australia and Western Australia's premier cultural event. The Festival has developed a worldwide reputation for its excellent international program, the presentation of new works and the highest quality artistic experiences for audience. For 62 years, the Festival has welcomed to Perth some of the world's greatest living artists.

Rania Ghandour
Perth Festival Media Relations Manager
+61-8-6488-8618/+61-403-025-535 
rghandour@perthfestival.com.au 

Video - http://static.prnasia.com/pro/media/201502/perth/perth_201502.mp4
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150216/8521500962-a
Photo -
http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150216/8521500962-b

Source: Perth International Arts Festival
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