This year’s South Australia’s History Festival invites us to reflect on a theme that feels both timely and enduring: Connections.

Justyna Jochym, Chief Executive Officer, History Trust of South Australia.

Connections shape how we understand the past and how we navigate the present. They exist between people, places, ideas, and generations. They are found in the stories we inherit, the communities we build, and the shared experiences that continue to define us. In many ways, history itself is an ongoing process of making and remaking these connections – interpreting what has come before and considering what it means for where we are going.

Early into my role with the History Trust of South Australia, I was struck by the depth of connection that already exists across this organisation and its audiences. Through conversations with staff, volunteers, partners, and participants, the History Festival holds a special place in the cultural fabric of this state. It is not only a program of events, but a platform for exchange, bringing communities together to explore, question, share knowledge, and educate each other.

For many in our community, particularly those who have witnessed significant moments of change across decades, history is not an abstract concept; it is lived experience. The Festival provides an opportunity to revisit those experiences, to see them reflected in new ways, and to connect them with the perspectives of others. In doing so, the Festival helps to build a richer, more inclusive understanding of our collective story.

This year’s program of events reflects that intention. It brings together a wide range of voices and perspectives, creating opportunities to engage with South Australian history in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and thought-provoking. Importantly, these connections are not lost when an event concludes. They continue in conversations, in shared memories, and in the ways we carry these stories and learnings forward.

A defining strength of the History Festival is its reach across the entire state. Each year, the program extends well beyond metropolitan Adelaide, encompassing regional communities right across South Australia. Whether you are on the Fleurieu or in the Mid North, you are bound to find an event nearby. This statewide presence ensures that local histories, voices, and perspectives are not only represented, but celebrated. Whether attending an event in a local town hall, a regional museum, or the main street of a town, participants are contributing to a broader, collective narrative that reflects the diversity and richness of South Australia’s history.

We are delighted to once again partner with Seniors Card, honouring our shared history and the enduring connections that bind communities across the State and throughout our regions.

I would like to thank everyone who contributes to making the History Festival possible each year. Your commitment and collaboration are what bring this program to life.

I invite you to explore this year’s Festival, to reconnect with familiar stories, and to discover new connections along the way.

Justyna Jochym
Chief Executive Officer
History Trust of South Australia

More information from the 2026 History Festival edition of WeekendPlus:

Seniors Card is a proud partner of the 2026 History Festival and Open Doors program.