KAARLA WIRREN (fire spirit) 2026

2 days ago
3 min read

A night of fire, culture and community.

On Saturday, 16 May 2026, a powerful performance celebrated the resilience of people in the face of historic change. Kaarla Wirren brought strength, spirit, and the fire that connects us all to a packed audience of nearly 1000 people at the Amphitheatre of Albany’s Historic Whaling Station.

Born from the cultural vision of Elder Aunty Carol Pettersen and led by Noongar Director Rachael Colmer, the production invited audiences into a story deeply shaped by culture, resilience, and the enduring significance of fire. As the fire spirit, Kaarla Wirren represented warmth, protection, renewal, and connection to land stewardship and ceremony.

"KAARLA WIRREN brings together contemporary dance and circus with traditional dance. It is a performance that is firstly inspired by the elements of the natural world, earth, air, water and of course fire." Southern Edge Arts Artistic Director Annette Carmichael

Across humanity, fire has long been a place of gathering. It is a space to share stories, connect with one another, and reflect on our shared journeys. Afternoon rains gave way to a clear evening sky, under which families and community members gathered with picnic rugs to witness this spirit. The performance allowed everyone to reflect on the resilience of people and Country through times of change, honouring the past, acknowledging the present, and imagining a shared future.

"It’s very clear that Kaarla Wirren sits within a web of relationships - between Elders, community, young people, Country, story and culture - and that it has been created with care, time and cultural responsibility. Knowing that this vision comes from Aunty Carol and is held by Noongar leadership makes the invitation especially significant." Audience member

Created over eight months alongside local young people, the large-scale work brought together fire artists, dancers, movers, and storytellers in a vibrant, moving celebration of community. The dedication of the participants, artistic team, and teaching artists created a performance that resonated deeply, beautifully demonstrating the power of collaborative youth arts practice.

"It gave our First Nations students the opportunity to connect to their own culture, and it gave our non-indigenous students the chance to connect with First Nations culture. For the broader community, it provided an inclusive experience to enjoy an arts performance and learn more about the ancient traditions of the region." Local Teacher and Audience Member "The opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young performers to work together on such an important work, and be exposed to local Indigenous elders, is so important for a generational shift in attitudes towards Indigenous people and our shared history." Audience Member

Kaarla Wirren quickly became far more than a stage performance. It transformed into a shared experience of reflection, creativity, and connection. The energy continued into the evening with an after-party featuring DJ Arryth, keeping the community together in the true spirit of gathering that sat at the heart of the work. Ultimately, the project reminded us of the incredible power of storytelling to strengthen community, foster belonging, and provide vital opportunities for young people to express themselves, connect with culture, and contribute to something larger than themselves.

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