YIRRAMBOI

A 10-day feast of mediums spanning the breadth of artistic expression, YIRRAMBOI returned for its fifth iteration in May 2025, breaking new ground as it took centre stage in Narrm’s arts precinct. The festival explored four powerful anchors – Legacy, Joy, Reclamation and Akin – that formed the foundation of its most ambitious program to date.

A critically acclaimed international arts festival, YIRRAMBOI is deeply rooted in purpose. It platforms expressions of culture, identity, unity and truth through evolutionary and experimental practices, breaking away from preconceived ideas of First Nations ‘art’. YIRRAMBOI provides a stage for First Nations voices to be heard, for stories to reverberate through generations, to drive change and create a future where First Peoples are rightly celebrated.

The 2025 festival was anchored by The Uncle Jack Charles, a dedicated festival hub that took over Malthouse Theatre and Chunky Move – named as a tribute to the late Uncle Jack Charles, a trailblazer of First Nations storytelling. YIRRAMBOI hosted a convergence of more than 400 First Nations creatives across 180 performances, activating more than 40 venues, cracking open the heart of Narrm and revealing the hum of Country beneath.

To close out the festival, Barring Yanabul (‘We all walk the path’) and The Uncle Archie Roach Block Party transformed the city with live music, DJs, voguing, performance art and installations.

Zilla & Brook secured a total campaign reach of over five million and a publicity value of over $5 million, with coverage across all major Victorian metro news media, community papers, First Nations media and radio, including reviews and interviews.

YIRRAMBOI returns 6 to 16 May 2027.