UQ's 2019 BLOOM festival celebrates jacaranda season

The much loved jacaranda season will be the focus of the second annual UQ BLOOM Festival at The University of Queensland from 17-27 October.

The festival’s theme ‘innovate, celebrate, illuminate’ will be showcased across a series of events that complement the purple trees so prominent across UQ and Brisbane.

Service Improvement Manager (Engagement) Sybilla Wilson said the festival was a great way to make the most of spring, while celebrating the stunning St Lucia campus.

“Jacaranda season is a special time of year,” Ms Wilson said.

“It brings so many parts of the university together and is becoming bigger and more diverse each year.”

The festival will feature a number of musical and immersive performances developed by UQ students including local authors reminiscing about a Bjelke-Petersen past, jacaranda-inspired food, jacaranda walks and light installations across the St Lucia campus.

“If you haven’t seen a jacaranda lit at night, than you must visit UQ Lakes during the festival and find your favourite tree,” Sybilla said.

“It’s the perfect spot to reflect on the year past, while enjoying Brisbane’s glorious weather.”

Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Professor Joanne Wright, said BLOOM Festival was one of many events supported by the UQ Student Strategy to provide a vibrant and inclusive campus for all to enjoy.

“One of the keys to success for our students is a sense of belonging with UQ,” Professor Wright said.

“It’s important that our events reflect inclusivity so students feel part of a community and see UQ as their home away from home.

“Due to the love of the jacarandas, BLOOM Festival is one event that sits close to all our hearts.”

While the festival celebrated the success of UQ students, staff and alumni, the wider Brisbane community were also invited to attend.

UQ Gatton and Herston will host mini BLOOM festivals on Wednesday 23 October from 10am-2pm with the main festival hosted at the St Lucia campus from October 17-27.

Visit the Festival website for the full program: at bit.ly/uqbloom2019.

Media: Sarah Jeffrey, Marketing and Communications Officer, sarah.jeffrey@uq.edu.au, +61 7 334 61493.