Aylwen Gardiner-Garden - Jane Austen Festival Australia director, promotor and coordinator. She is assisted by the following volunteers:
Deborah Mulhall - Theatrical ProgrammingDr Gillian Dooley - Academic ProgrammingLynne Cook - (National President of the Australian Costumers Guild) - Costume Workshop ProgrammingDr John Gardiner-Garden - Dance ProgrammingJoanne Van Raaphorst - Dietary Needs ManagerLorna McKenzie & Samantha Miller - Historic Fashion Parade
Jane Austen Festival Australia (JAFA) is an annual event exclusive to Canberra, directed by Aylwen Gardiner-Garden of the Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy. Since the festival's inception in 2008, JAFA has seen tremendous growth, developing a strong national and international reputation. Over its five year span, JAFA has inspired a loyal following and an enduring sense of community amongst attendees.
Jane Austen Festival Australia is held over four days and nights. It has been centred on the historic buildings and grounds of St Johns Church in Reid, but has also involved Lennox Gardens, Commonwealth Park, National Film and Sound Archives and in 2013, will also involve Lanyon Homestead.
Whilst the predominant function of Jane Austen Festival Australia is to provide a platform from which to explore all aspects of Jane Austen's world, we are also keenly interested and engaged in exploring Australia's place in history during the lifetime of Jane Austen - hence our strong links locally with the ACT Heritage Festival and nationally, with Australian Heritage Week and in 2013 we share closer ties with the ACT Government with support from the ACT Festival Fund. Associated with the festival have been full length plays, film screenings, short story writing competitions, rapier demonstrations, participatory archery, musketry displays, maypole dancing, grand Napoleonic Balls, afternoon teas in the Regency Manner, graveyard tours, costume promenades, period games, period food and much more.
2013 celebrates 200 years since the publication of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. It is also celebrating six years that this annual festival has been running and growing in Canberra. The 2013 JAFA provides the perfect opportunity to unite one of history's most enduring and beloved writers with our own unique Australian history, opening a window on the life of Australia's early 19th century inland settlers and the milieu from whence they came and in which they lived.
From small but happy beginnings in 2008 this little festival has blossomed into one of the most delightful four days anyone could experience.
It is held each April in an old and beautiful part of Canberra, the Federal capital of Australia.
Jane Austen Festival Australia was the idea of Aylwen Gardiner-Garden and first took place in 2008. Aylwen's aim was to hold an annual celebration where Austen and Napoleonic fans from all over Australia could come and indulge themselves in everything Regency - including dancing, music, food, games, costumes and books. This festival is now a regular part of the ACT Heritage Festival.
Each year the Festival, which is held in April, grows with more people dressing in Regency costume celebrating the life and works of Jane Austen. Events are organised by the Festival team under the guidance of the festival director Aylwen Gardiner-Garden and most meals are provided as part of the festival tickets.
Small soirees, concerts, a costumed promenade, theatre, archery, fashion, food, talks and of course LOTS of dancing feature over three days and four nights, plus there is an opportunity to attend a grand Jane Austen Ball! The latest draft program can be viewed online.
Festival attendees are invited to purchase a Season Ticket which will give them entry into all aspects of the festival - from lectures, workshops, dances, evening functions, balls and the popular promenade. Day tickets (for one day and night) are made available closer to the event and discount volunteer season tickets are available for those able to assist for at least one hour during the festival. Tickets include morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and light evening refreshments and coffee.
Most attend the festival in regency attire, this is optional though, and if your wardrobe is limited we do ask that you make an attempt at regency costume for the evening events and the promenade. The festival does have a small selection of costumes available for hire. Men are welcome to wear a white shirt, neat trousers and waistcoat. A free regency dress making workshop is scheduled for 19-20 January 2013, please RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/447142588651727/
For the upcoming event's poster, program and presenters see the tabs at the top of this page and to join us go to Tickets .
For past festivals posters, programs and photos go to JAFA 2012, JAFA 2011, JAFA 2010 and Early JAFAs
For posters, programs and photos of all the non-JAFA Earthly Delights events go to our general Past Events page.
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