Last week Julie at Sydney Eye introduced us to the spirituality of the Australia Day Woggan-ma-gule ceremony. I also wanted to attend something other than colourful but overhyped, overcrowded and jingoistic Australia Day events.
This year I spent a couple of hours at Yabun, the contemporary celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Yabun (music with a beat) grew out of the Survival/Invasion Day concerts and celebrates the ongoing survival of ATSI cultures; advocates for community engagement with the arts and ATSI culture; and presents and promotes established and emerging ATSI artists and performers.
It is the largest single day Indigenous festival drawing an audience of between 10,000 and 15,000 and is one of the most important Indigenous music events in the country reflecting the huge wealth of Indigenous creative talent.
It is political by its nature and history but relaxed, friendly and welcoming with a mixed crowd, predominantly Indigenous Australians but also white fellas, Asians, Indians and the odd student/backpacker.
7 comments:
Is that Vic Park at the back of the new law building of USYD? I like the portraits of people just hanging about. I tend to get put off events like this by the crass commercialism, and by the stall-holders selling the same-old same-old. Doesn't matter whether it be indigenous or mainstream. If next year is not going to be in the 30s, I will check this one out, too.
These pics are great, and the first one I like best.
Yes, Vic Park. The stalls were a pretty minor part of the show. There were 2 stages and a lecture/discussion tent, which would have been interesting if it had been possible to get a program prior to the event. I managed to miss everything.
I was just about to ask where this was too. I didn't recognise the buildings.
Well taken!
Seems like a fun day all around.
I love the photo of the woman and the baby!
Post a Comment