ALL things Antarctic will be the order of the day at a cool event in Hobart next month.
The Australian Antarctic Festival covers everything from Antarctic-based infrastructure and activity displays to science, research, the arts, history and ephemera.
Produced by the Mawson's Huts Foundation, it features many free events in venues around Hobart, the gateway to the Antarctic.
Highlights include the Antarctic Expo at Princes Wharf, which will showcase a collection of artefacts and equipment.
There will also be an Australian Federal Stamp and Postcard Exhibition featuring a unique collection of Antarctic stamps and postcards, as well as insights into postal history.
Foundation chief executive Greg Carter said international participation in the festival is set to reach record levels, with several Antarctic Treaty nations planning to attend and present exhibits.
The latest in marine research will be displayed by the Australian Antarctic Division, the CSIRO and the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.
A Tasmanian Polar Network display will show off the state's capabilities in supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean endeavours.
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery will display stunning new photographs in its Expeditioners Exhibition along with its ongoing Islands to Ice exhibitions.
The inclusion of some Australian Defence Force Antarctic-related assets is still being negotiated.
The Antarctic has had a profound effect on Australian culture. Continuing that linkage, Salamanca Arts Centre will host an Antarctic-inspired art exhibition, a virtual reality experience and an opera titled The Call of Aurora: A Chamber Opera about love, death and madness, by Tasmanian composer and librettist Joe Bugden.
School children from around Australia will again be invited to participate in the popular penguin rookery display by using their imagination and artistic skills to decorate a "waddle" of brightly coloured penguins to be displayed at Macquarie Wharf 2 (TasPort's Cruise Terminal).
In 2018, more than 8000 penguins were corralled and hopes are high there will be even more this year.
A family fun day complete with a husky sled-dog team is planned for August 28.
Mr Carter said the festival's popular gala dinner will return, featuring speeches from iconic Australians, giveaways and a charity auction.
All proceeds will go towards the foundation, which "seeks to educate the next generation of Antarctic explorers and preserve Australia's Antarctic heritage", he said.
The festival on August 24-28 and most activities can be found around the waterfront at Sullivan's Cove.
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