The CIV 2026 logo is a phoenix.
The phoenix is a mythological bird associated with worship of the sun and having a melodious cry. Myth has it that at the end of its long life, the phoenix would fashion a nest, set it on fire and be consumed by the flames. From the ashes would arise a new phoenix. The phoenix is a symbol of immortality, renewal and resilience.
The CIV Committee selected the phoenix because:
- The last CIV was held in winter, with much feedback on how cold Canberra is in July. This time around, CIV will be warmer as it is scheduled for summer. A perfect time for a sun-worshiping phoenix!
- It resonates with the festival’s chosen piece, the Brahms Requiem (‘A German Requiem’). It was an act of resilience for Brahms’ to compose the piece, as it took him 3 years to finish and the preview performance went badly, with a timpani player drowning out the orchestra for several minutes. The piece also has themes of death and renewal, like a phoenix.
The initial human-made sketch was developed into a digital logo using artificial intelligence (AI). Consistent with Creative Australia’s Principles guiding the use of generative AI for creative output, the CIV Committee is committed to upholding the transparency of AI having assisted completion of the logo. Local designers are being sourced for the remaining design work for the festival.