Giant Christmas Tree to light up this festive season in the Mortlock
Adelaide’s largest indoor Christmas tree will light up for the first time this festive season on Pageant Day at the State Library of South Australia.
Located in the iconic Mortlock Chamber, the 7-metre-tall Christmas tree will be launched at 9am on Saturday November 12 to coincide with the 2022 Christmas Pageant.
Powered by SA Power Networks, the giant Christmas tree stretches to the height of the first level of the Mortlock.
A traditional Christmas-themed display from the State Library’s Children’s Literature Research Collection and a book gifting partnership with leading not for profit organisation, Raising Literacy Australia are among the key highlights of the Christmas program.
State Library of South Australia Director Geoff Strempel said:
“Christmas at the Mortlock is a magical time of year to visit to State Library.
“We look forward to welcoming families to the Library to see the spectacular display in the Mortlock. This is a must-see experience for festive season lovers of all ages and we are delighted to create some holiday magic and spread the Christmas cheer once again.
“We are pleased to showcase a Christmas-themed display from our rich Children's Literature Research Collection, which consists of over 70,000 items from around the world."
The display, which is themed to reflect past Christmas traditions in different countries features traditional Christmas games, toys and books, including a moveable pop-up book Father Christmas (1961) by famed Czechoslovakian paper artist Vojtěch Kubašta (b. 1914 Vienna, d. 1992 Prague).
As part of the Christmas tree display, the State Library of South Australia have partnered with Raising Literacy Australia to support one of its vital early years literacy programs, Read to Me.
“We are thrilled to be the charity partner for this year’s State Library of South Australia Christmas tree installation,” said Raising Literacy Australia CEO Elizabeth Davis.
“Our partnership with the State Library focuses on the ‘Buy a Book, Gift a Book’ initiative which will directly benefit South Australian children in out of home care through our Read to Me program. Read to Me provides these children with regular deliveries of books, resources and activities, supporting their development in the critical early years. Read to Me receives no government funding, relying entirely on the generosity of the public.”
“Christmas is a time of delight and wonder for children, and we can bring that to life through books and storytelling.
“We encourage visitors to the Library’s Christmas tree display to pledge their support by buying a book for a friend or family member, plus one or more for a vulnerable child.”
Mr Strempel adds,
“Our partnership with Raising Literacy Australia is built upon our shared vision to tell stories that bring people together and promote literacy.
“We are calling on visitors to the State Library to help spread the Christmas cheer to vulnerable and disadvantaged children with the purchase of a book to support their literacy development.”
Key activities as part of the Christmas tree display in the Mortlock include:
- Pageant Day performance - Adelaide vocal ensemble Choral Grief will perform at 11am under the giant Christmas tree on Saturday November 12
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Christmas reading nook – visitors can take time out to read a book in a festive-themed reading nook.
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Christmas story telling – join local authors from Raising Literacy Australia and storytellers to share their favourite Christmas stories under the giant Christmas tree at 11am daily from Monday December 19 until Friday December 23.
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Christmas craft - help decorate a Christmas tree by colouring and hanging a Christmas ornament inspired by the images from the Kubašta pop-up book.
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School choir performances – School choirs will fill the Mortlock with Christmas joy with a series of performances from Monday December 5 until Friday December 9 at 12 noon and 1.30pm.
The Christmas tree in the Mortlock Wing in the State Library of South Australia will open at 9am on Saturday November 12 and runs through until Sunday January 8.
For more information, visit Christmas at the Mortlock.
Details
Mortlock Chamber, State Library of South Australia
Corner North Terrace and Kintore Avenue
Free entry
Open: Saturday 12 November 9am – 5pm (Special opening for Christmas Pageant Day)
Monday and Tuesday: 8am – 7pm
Wednesday to Friday: 8am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12pm to 5pm
(Closed public holidays)
Media inquiries
Lisa Reichstein
PR Manager
CALLIE PR
0481 238 560
lisa@callie.com.au
Laura Peters
Communications Manager
CALLIE PR
0404 976 299
laura@callie.com.au