Three hundred and fifty groups from creative arts, holistic well-being, and humanitarian services from over seventy countries, took part in the biggest global carnival competition of all time.

Descendance, with only a small team of seven performers and producer / director Jose Calarco, competed against the mighty cultures of Ghana, Korea, China, Nepal, Nigeria, India, Russia, Egypt, Thailand, Greece, Sri Lanka and Japan. These were highly organised teams backed by their governments with the most outlandish costumes, sets and make up artists on board. They were out to win
first prize for their country as this was the initial International cultural games for UNESCO.

The opening and closing ceremony had to be seen to be believed. Seoul has seen nothing like it, since it hosted the Olympics and the recent World Cup Soccer tournament. Australia led the processions, and it was our proudest moment in our dance company's history.

Descendance appeared in the national papers three days running and were featured on Korean Television. The room erupted when Descendance was announced as the world champions for the dance / peace category. We proved very popular throughout the tournament with our body paint, primal energy, and friendliness.

Descendance has been performing seven hundred shows a year at the Red Centre Resort in Alice Springs. This enabled us to produce the best dancers and tightest indigenous show in the country. After winning the Brolga Award for tourism this year, we now add The World Culture Open World Champions to our trophy collection.

The only sad fact for us was that our government funding organisations had nothing whatsoever to do with the event. Descendance is a self made indigenous company who does not rely on hand outs for its future, but would occasionally like some sort of support and recognition as Australia's international force in dance, promoting Australia in seventeen countries and creating indigenous employment locally and Internationally.

China has won the bid for the 2006 World Culture Open. Descendance will look forward to presenting something new for that tournament, as we automatically qualify as the incumbent champions.

The members of the Descendance Team who won the tournament are:
Nicki Willis (vocals) Ronnie Guivarra (vocals) Bennelong Carroll (didgeridoo)Arthur Turtle Tamwoy (dancer) George Dow (dancer) Les Daniel (dancer) Vivian Anderson (dancer) Jose Calarco (producer/director).

For all press enquires and interviews contact Jose Calarco on 0411 337136 or 96997071 or email descend@bigpond.com

"Newspaper Image above (top left) Les Daniel, Vivian Anderson, and George Dow in action.(top right) Vivian Anderson & Jose Calarco in the rain at the Opening Ceremony. (bottom) George Dow throws his arm up, as Nicki Willis and Les Daniel accept award."