Twofold Aboriginal Corporation has announced Giiyong Festival, first established in 2018, will become a biennial event, with a new alternate-year program, Giiyong Ganya, to be presented for the first time this year on Saturday November 28 at Jigamy on Thaua Country.

Giiyong Ganya is an Aboriginal-led cultural event bringing together live performances, storytelling, workshops and cultural experiences for Aboriginal artists, community and the broader public - in a smaller, more intimate format than its parent event, Giiyong Festival.

The new event is grounded in supporting local artistic development and cultural exchange, creating opportunities for connection through culture and Country.

The event will take place at Jigamy, between Pambula and Eden on the Far South Coast of NSW. The site has deep cultural significance as a place of gathering, ceremony and cultural practice for generations of Aboriginal people.

Owned and managed for more than 40 years by Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, Jigamy remains a living cultural landscape rich in story, knowledge and connection.

'Ganya' means camp, or home, in the language spoken by south coast Elders. With 'Giiyong' meaning welcome, the phrase can be interpreted as welcome home, or welcome to camp. Giiyong Ganya 2026 has been intentionally designed to reflect the long-standing cultural practice of gathering around the fire.

For generations, Aboriginal people have come together in this way to share music, storytelling and knowledge. The event will respectfully recreate that experience through an in-the-round concert format that places artists, storytellers and audiences within a shared cultural space.

The program will also include afternoon workshops and cultural activities, with intimate live performances in the evening.

Twofold Aboriginal Corporation co-chief executive officer and cultural advisor Alison Simpson said Giiyong Ganya would offer audiences a more personal cultural experience while continuing the spirit and purpose of the larger Giiyong Festival.

"Giiyong Ganya will create an intimate atmosphere for audiences, allowing people to connect more deeply with the artists, storytellers, culture and Country," Ms Simpson said.

"It is important to note, this is not a festival format. Transitioning Giiyong Festival to a biennial event will allow us necessary lead time to fundraise and plan, ensuring the much-loved larger event has a sustainable future. In contrast, Giiyong Ganya is intended to feel more personal and is an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect.

"In the lead-up to the event, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation will be delivering cultural and creative learning opportunities for our local Aboriginal community, helping support emerging artists, creatives and cultural leaders."

Already locked in are skills development programs from Grow the Music and Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance. Together they will deliver educational opportunities for Aboriginal people in the fields of STEM digital projection and music - all with performance outcomes at Giiyong Ganya.

"We have listened to our Giiyong Festival audience, who are keenly seeking deeper cultural connection," said Simpson.

"A lot of thought has gone into how we can best deliver this to a broader audience. Giiyong Ganya has been designed by, and will be delivered by, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with local cultural knowledge holders, artists and the Giiyong team."

Giiyong Ganya will welcome the local Aboriginal community alongside the broader public, creating a respectful space for cultural exchange, learning and shared experience.

More information, workshop information and performance program will be available soon online.

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