According to “ABC Australia”, This year’s Australia Day Live at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt and Circular Quay is a night to acknowledge the Aussie spirit and celebrate our strength. Aussie music icons Vanessa Amorosi, John Williamson, The Original Seekers, Eurovision star Isaiah Firebrace, along with rockers Eskimo Joe and singing star Christine Anu. Artists are accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
It is on 26 January at 7:30pm AEDT. I have spent many years in Australia, but it is the first time I have seen a concert at an opera house. yeahhh ๐
There were so many people and colorful performances and orchestra made my ears happy. Especially, “I am, you are, we are Australian.” was the most impressive. It was touching to see different people singing in one scene in different places.
Do you know what Australia Day celebrates?
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip.
An Australian friend told me that today is not just a happy day for someone. Actually, that’s what I thought. Unlike other countries, which celebrate independence or another special day as a national holiday, Australia Day was likely to have a particularly loud voice of concern, as it commemorates the start of colonization.
In fact, it’s been a long time, and I’ve heard that now it’s more of a summer festival than a solemn national holiday. Barbecue parties and various contests are held everywhere. But aboriginal groups call it “Day of Mourning,” “Invasion Day” and “Survival Day.” It would be a deep wound to them that took the land away. My hometown also knows the pain because it has lost the country.
What is the general idea of Australians? In a recent survey, 56 percent of the respondents said they donโt care at any time as long as there is a national holiday. 49 percent said “Australia Day should not be an offensive date for the natives.”
Australian of the Year 2020
And I was curious about something else. I heard that Australian of the Year 2020 awarded to eye surgeon James Muecke. What was impressive was that he didn’t talk about blindness in his acceptance speech. Instead he chose to focus on Australia’s “most recent catastrophe”.
“The uncompromising bushfires that have swept through our country have left widespread disruption and heartbreak in their wake, and few of us remain untouched,” Dr. Muecke said.
“Too many people have lost their lives, and the devastation of our landscape and iconic wildlife is beyond belief. And all of this on the back of the unprecedented droughts and floods that have tortured our beloved country and farming communities over the past few years โ my thoughts are with all who’ve been affected.”
In his eyes, firefighters and emergency services personnel were the real heroes. “Whilst I’ve not been fighting fires, I humbly accept this award and, with it, my role to contribute to this great country,” he said.
Grand finale of Sydney Australia Day 2020
It was so spectacular. And it was really fun today.
Peace is up to you ๐ Good luck!
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Beautiful