Thousands Gather to 'Hail the Cactus' in Perth, Organiser Calls for Annual Festival
Thousands of teenagers and young people flooded Forrest Place in Perth on Saturday, engaging in a bizarre and devoted display of worship towards the iconic Cactus sculpture. The event, dubbed 'Hail the Cactus,' saw participants bowing, chanting, and even duct-taping themselves to the 6.5-metre-tall artwork, creating a viral sensation that has captured the city's attention.
Organiser Bradley Innes Proposes Annual Cactus Festival
Bradley Innes, the organiser from the Church of the Cactus, spoke at a City of Perth council meeting, urging officials to consider making the event an annual festival. He described the gathering as "iconic" and emphasized its role in grounding people within the public landscape. Innes highlighted that the event was never just about the statue but about young people seeking connection and a sense of belonging.
"I was originally hoping for 10 maybe 20 people. But what happened last weekend was that thousands of people came to give the cactus a voice," Innes said. He noted that attendees included people in green paint, those with flags, and even visitors from interstate, with the Lord Mayor himself making an appearance.
The Cactus as a Symbol of Community and Connection
The Cactus, officially named Grow Your Own by artist James Angus and installed in 2011, has developed a cult-like following over the years. Innes argued that public art like this creates social gravity, giving strangers a shared address and fostering community spirit. He proposed that an annual cactus festival could blend public art, performance, and local culture, making Perth more vibrant and inclusive.
"The cactus has been Perth's unofficial meeting point for more than 15 years. Public art creates social gravity. It gives strangers a shared address," Innes explained. He suggested the festival could include activities like painting, games, and food vendors, potentially merging with other local events like the Indonesian food festival.
Council Response and Future Considerations
Deputy Lord Mayor David Goncalves inquired about the logistics of a Perth Cactus Festival, asking if it would commemorate the first event and include elements like food vendors. Innes responded that it could become a hybrid event, celebrating both the cactus and community infrastructure.
Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds congratulated Innes on the event's success, praising him as a "decent young human being" and inviting him for a cup of tea at the council house. Meanwhile, the council is also considering digitalising the Ore Obelisk statue, which has been in storage since 2021 due to safety concerns, with discussions set for an upcoming meeting.
Innes concluded his appeal by emphasizing the power of community: "Not because we told it to, because the people of Perth decided it would. If we are listening tonight, we can give Perth the city it has already chosen. One where people still gather, still connect, and forever seek a place to truly belong."
