Triple j’s 2022 Unearthed Artist of the Year, Elsy Wameyo, headlines this year’s New Beginnings Festival on 28 January, alongside a lineup of artists from 10+ backgrounds, for one of Sydney’s most iconic celebrations of refugee, migrant, and First Nations artists.The Kenyan-born hip hop and R&B artist will be joined by acclaimed First Nations rapper, Birdz, on the wharves of the Australian National Maritime Museum in the heart of Sydney.
SSI Arts and Culture Producer Raphael Brasil explained that for the first time, the festival will be featured as one of Sydney Festival’s major events, an opportunity that will enable artists and stallholders to display their talents to an even wider audience. “As one of the most multicultural countries in the world, Australia’s creative industry is home to a melting pot of ideas, cultures, and talents. New Beginnings Festival embodies our diversity by showcasing an eclectic mix of music, dance, art, culture, and food from Australia’s leading culturally and linguistically diverse artists and entrepreneurs.” Brasil commented.




Mr Brasil explained that SSI’s New Beginnings Festival began in 2014 as a platform to use arts and culture to build bridges between refugee communities and wider Australia. From its origins, the event has evolved to include strong representation of both migrant and First Nations artists in recognition that true inclusion can only be achieved by acknowledging and celebrating diversity.
Headliner, Birdz, a multi-award-winning rapper, is renowned for his hard-hitting hip hop with strong messages of hope and self-determination.
“Community, culture, and belonging are all important themes in my music, and so it feels natural to take part in New Beginnings Festival.” Birdz commented “I’m excited to play in an environment that showcases the diversity of this country, where I can represent my community and culture, and share my story as a proud Butchulla man.”
“Since its inception, New Beginnings Festival has showcased over 360 performers and artists from over 80 cultures. Now in its seventh year, the festival continues to grow bigger in size and significance to allow a real opportunity for our First Nations, migrant and refugee communities to be seen, heard and celebrated.” Mr Brasil commented.
Australian National Maritime Museum CEO and Director, Daryl Karp said the museum was proud to host New Beginnings Festival for a second year.
“We are thrilled that this celebration of shared culture takes place here at the museum in Darling Harbour. We hope that New Beginnings Festival will ignite dialogue and further shared experiences, reflecting the inclusivity and diversity at the heart of our national story,” Karp commented.

Other New Beginnings Festival performers include:

• Jazz singer/songwriter Athésia performing unique compositions in French, Creole, Portuguese, and ‘Athésian’, her polyphonic self-invented artistic language
• Acclaimed Lebanese singer and musician Samira El-Koussa performing alongside highly regarded oud player and Assyrian singer George Karam
• Blend of film and dance from Blacklux, combining contemporary and traditional West African dance, choreographed by Lucky Lartey
• Explosive live show with Afro-Cuban and Colombian rhythms by Malo Malo Band
• Mix of dance, body percussion and song from Suara Indonesia Dance Group
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