Parrtjima - A Festival in Light has wrapped up in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) with record numbers attending the 2023 event.

The 10-day light festival, the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, is an annual event in the Red Centre that uses the newest of technology to showcase the oldest continuous culture on Earth.

The Festival uses the natural canvas of the ancient MacDonnell Ranges and red sands of the Alice Springs Desert Park as a natural backdrop for stunning light installations representing Aboriginal culture.

The 2023 theme, Listening with Heart, was inspired by the artwork surrounding the Statement from the Heart encouraging people to come together, meet and take time to contemplate and reflect in the Red Centre.

This Parrtjima 2023 theme, Listening with Heart, is inspired by the artwork surrounding the Uluru Statement from the Heart. (Image: Che Chorley)

The Listening with Heart signature installation was curated by Mark artist Rene Kulitja alongside a group of artists from Mututjulu (near Uluru) who created the artwork that frames the powerful Statement from the Heart.

Guided by the soundscapes of Kuniya (the python woman) story, visitors were invited to walk in the footprints of the artwork and experience a light-scape based on the story of the Mala people.

Parrtjima also featured Grounded, an installation which saw six artworks from central and western desert artists projected on to the red sands of Alice Springs Desert Park.

The installation saw patrons invited to step in and become a piece of the art, immersed in the stories, symbols and knowledge of Arrernte people as they wandered through an animated sequence of curated artworks.

Bush Flowers by Pammy Kemarre Foster formed part of the Grounded projections. (Image: Che Chorley)

The MacDonnell Ranges light show remained a favourite, as the majestic ancient landmark was brought to life with spectacular lighting effects.

Northern Territory Minister for Major Events Paul Kirby said Parrtjima was well supported by a record number of Territorians and visitors in 2023.

"The Alice Springs community and visitors have truly embraced Parrtjima 2023 with a total of 20,271 attendances across the festival," Mr Kirby said.

"There was roughly a 60/40 per cent split between Territorians and interstate guests, as well as international visitors thrown into the mix."

On average more than 2,200 people visited the Alice Springs Desert Park each night to participate in Parrtjima 2023.

Northern Territory chief minister Natasha Fyles said the influx of visitors to Alice Springs for Parrtjima generates millions of dollars of economic activity in the Northern Territory.

"Parrtjima – A Festival in Light is one of Alice Springs' most highly anticipated events each year for locals and tourists, and 2023 was no exception," Ms Fyles said.

"The benefits of events cannot be overstated, and independent research shows Parrtjima 2022 generated a total expenditure stimulus in the Northern Territory of $14.7 million, with 81 per cent (that's $11.9 million) being new money to the Territory."

Partjiima 2023 was the eighth edition of the festival, which first began in 2016.