Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres today announced the investment, which will support the 2016 and 2017 festivals. Minister Ayres said that the support will see the Festival continue its world class program across all art forms, and ensure that NSW remains the creative capital of Australia.

“The Sydney Festival is an important annual event, celebrating the spirit of Sydney in summer and presenting the very best of the performing and visual arts from Australia and around the world,” Mr Ayres said.

“I’m pleased that the NSW Government will continue to support the Sydney Festival through Arts NSW and Destination NSW, especially in 2016 as it commemorates its 40th anniversary.”

In 2016 the investment will support the staging of Woyzeck, an influential German stage drama written by Georg Buchner and reinvented as a 21st century musical by acclaimed theatre director Robert Wilson, American musician Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, as well as a number of other key performances. Woyzeck has been secured as an exclusive for Sydney.

The 2016 Sydney Festival runs from 7-26 January, and will include a packed calendar of free and ticketed events across the city.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said that the Festival was a must-see event for anyone visiting Sydney in summer.

“The Festival is an annual favourite for many Sydneysiders and also a drawcard for tourists from around Australia and overseas who travel to our city to join in the celebrations. With the Festival celebrating its 40th year in 2016 the party is sure to be bigger and better than ever,” she said.

More information about the 2016 Sydney Festival can be found at http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/

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