New Sydney Festival director named
The Sydney Festival yesterday announced Lieven Bertels (pictured) as the new Director for Sydney Festival 2013-15.
Bertels is currently Artistic Coordinator for Holland Festival, the Netherlands’ oldest and largest annual arts festival, where he’s helped to reestablish the event as a presenter of contemporary music, opera and non-western work.
“I’ve always been attracted to the unique mix of arts and entertainment that Sydney Festival offers. My mission is to bring the best and the boldest projects to Sydney’s streets and stages and I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity to add exciting new pages to the Festival’s rich history,” said Bertels.
“My family and I are thrilled to be moving to Sydney and I’m very much looking forward to working with the Festival team.”
Chair of Sydney Festival, Lord Mayor and MP Clover Moore, said the appointment is an exciting one.
“Lieven comes to Sydney with a wealth of experience from Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Both cities have festivals that invite the best of international music, dance and theatre, as well as embracing the full extent of their own diverse communities. Sydney Festival is one of our best loved annual events and I look forward to seeing how Lieven will enhance our magnificent city in summer.”
Bertels will move to Sydney in late 2011 to begin work on programming the 2013 Sydney Festival. The 2012 Festival will be the last of three festivals directed by Lindy Hume.
