Legacy is one of four central pillars shaping this year's YIRRAMBOI Festival, alongside Joy, Reclamation and Akin.

The theme honours the knowledge, resilience and strength of past generations while building new pathways for future ones.

Taungurung and Filipino co-lead and lead creative, Sherene Stewart, said Legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of First Nations communities.

"Legacy is both a gift and a responsibility, intricately woven into the very fabric of our communities," Ms Stewart said.

"The wisdom and strength of those who came before us, whose foundations laid the groundwork and shaped the path we walk today."

Several performances explore the theme of Legacy throughout the 10-day festival.

Among them is banj ba walert: water and possum, a work reconnecting community through the reawakening of possum skin drumming.

Led by Elder Aunty Vicki, the project celebrates a cultural practice interrupted by colonisation, bringing together community through the sound described as the heartbeat of Country.

The exhibition will run daily from 2 to 11 May at The Edge, Fed Square, and is free to attend.

Another major work is Lazarus, written by Mr John Harding, based on the life of Taungurung Elder Larry Walsh.

The play charts Mr Walsh's journey from his beginnings as part of the Stolen Generations through to his successful fight in 2018 against the criminalisation of children removed from their families.

The production will be staged at The Uncle Jack Charles Theatre, Malthouse, from 1 to 3 May.

Ms Stewart said this year's festival embraces a cyclical relationship with time.

"The 2025 festival celebrates this cyclical relationship with time, recognising that our future is rooted in our past," she said.

"It is a space where evolutionary expressions of art, music and performance can reflect both where we've come from and where we're going."

Legacy is also celebrated through Tina - A Tropical Love Story, a production by Ben Graetz (Miss Ellaneous), blending drag, dance and storytelling.

The show reflects on a young boy's transformative encounter with Tina Turner in Darwin, celebrating the impact of music, culture and identity.

It will be performed on 7 May at Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre.

BLAKOUT 2.0 also explores Legacy, returning after its 2023 award-winning debut to showcase queer First Nations, Pasifika and Southeast Asian excellence.

The world premiere will weave together movement, ballroom, storytelling and cultural knowledge across performances at The Uncle Jack Charles Theatre on 2 and 3 May.

YIRRAMBOI's co-lead J-Maine Beezley said Legacy is at the core of the festival's mission to uplift authentic First Nations voices.

"Everything we do today is in the hopes for a better future, one where we as First Peoples are rightfully acknowledged and celebrated," Mr Beezley said.

Ms Stewart said the festival both honours the past and creates new spaces for future generations to thrive.

"Seeing works evolve from concepts into expressions on the main stage not only honours the past but also paves the way for future generations to share their voices and continue shaping the narrative," she said.

Gunnai, Kurnai, Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri DJ Sky Thomas (aka Soju Gang), the festival's music producer, said YIRRAMBOI creates a culturally safe and unrestricted space for First Nations creativity.

"There isn't a set idea of what First Nations art or performance looks like, sounds like, feels like," Ms Thomas said.

Ms Thomas said the festival's commitment to community continues beyond the event itself.

"Our job and responsibility to mob does not finish when the festival does," she said.

Reflecting on the festival's atmosphere, Ms Thomas said YIRRAMBOI is dynamic yet familiar.

"Assume nothing and expect anything," she said.

YIRRAMBOI Festival 2025 will run from 1 to 11 May across various venues in Naarm/Melbourne.