Mona Foma To Depart Hobart In Shock Move

After a near decade-long run, Mona Foma is confirmed to depart Hobart from 2019. 

The Premier of Tasmania has confirmed the festival will move to Launceston on a new three-year deal from next year, backed by the government's commitment of $1.75 million. 

"Launceston really embraced the mini Mofo we held across the city in January this year. Around 5,000 people turned up to our free Block Party at QVMAG," Mona Co-CEO, Mark Wilsdon, said.

"It’s a mammoth task to take an entire festival like Mona Foma to a new city. We weren’t interested in putting together a watered down Mona Foma. This funding means we’ll be able to do it, and do it properly.

"This funding will help us support the regional dispersal of inbound visitors to Tasmania. It will help us create a world-famous cultural event, industry and legacy in northern Tasmania, as Mona Foma did for Hobart when we launched in 2009."

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The news follows the 2018 Mona Foma festival this past January, which featured performances from names such as Jamila Woods and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Festival dates for the 2019 event, to again be held in January, will be announced in August. 

"Our curatorial team, led by Mona Foma Curator, Brian Ritchie, is working hard on locking in the line-up for 2019," Wilsdon said.

"We’re working closely with Launceston’s arts, tourism, education and business communities as we plan for our next festival, and it seems that everybody is up for it.

"We’re working to set up new collaborations between local artists and international acts and have already commenced talks with the broader Launceston arts community about major projects for festivals in future years."

The announcement comes only a day after Hobart Lord Mayor, Ron Christie, said he wants to "put the brakes on" Mona Foma's companion festival, Dark Mofo.