Nati Frinj postponed due to COVID uncertainty

The biannual Nati Frinj was set to begin in the last week of October, but due to the uncertainty of Victoria's COVID-19 situation was cancelled.

Organisers now look to host the event from October 28 to 30 in 2022.

Festival director Hannah French said the tough decision was made early in the year to give the community time to adjust to an empty schedule.

"We decided to make the call sooner rather than later, just so our artists and community have time to adjust rather than facing the awful phenomenon that has been happening in the arts where things get called off at the last minute," she said.

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"Adding to the stress of that time doesn't feel great, so we had lots of discussions and lots of talks and we decided to make that call, just so we are in a really good position come 2022.

Ms French said the groups who fund the festival and attending artists were understanding of the decision.

"All of the artists that we welcomed into the program know that the festival has been postponed and we would love to have them for next year. We are going to pick those conversations up early next year," she said.

Festival organisers also decided to postpone the Bamboo Exquisite art project, which was in preparation alongside the festival.

Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society will still host their farmers market at the town on the day, however.

In the meantime, Ms French invited anyone who attended previous Nati Frinjs to share photos and memories of their experiences online.

"Also we are asking people who have been to the Nati Frinj before and have happy memories of it, if they want to share any stories or videos of those times we would love to see them so we can share it out with the wider community," she said.

"The Frinj for a lot of people has a very special place in their hearts in connection to Natimuk so we are just hoping we can bring those together and have a bit of a celebration - especially at these times where it is hard to remember the pandemic will be over, we will have to opportunity to come together.

"Giving us an opportunity to celebrate why we love the festival and why we like to come together and be in each other's company. I think it is a nice thing to celebrate."

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