Sydney’s largest celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture will return to Victoria Park in Camperdown this month with live music, food stalls and traditional dance, arts and crafts.
Up to 25,000 people will head to the park on Tuesday 26 January for the free annual Yabun Festival, run by Gadigal Information Service Aboriginal Corporation and sponsored by the City of Sydney.
[caption id="attachment_15104" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Photograph courtesy of Yabun[/caption]
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was proud to sponsor the one-day festival and its packed program of arts, dance, music and discussions, beginning with a traditional smoking ceremony and welcome dances.
“Yabun celebrates the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the oldest living-culture in the world,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Since 2002 Yabun has grown into one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the country. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their ongoing contribution to our unique city.
“It’s also a great fun day out to meet with friends and family or take children to be entertained.”
This year’s festival will be headlined by pioneering Aboriginal rock-reggae musician Bart Willoughby, who has played with No Fixed Address, Coloured Stone, Yothu Yindi and Mixed Relations.
Mr Willoughby received an ARIA award in 1993 for his “outstanding contribution to Indigenous music in Australia” and continues to record and tour with The Bart Willoughby Band.
Also on the Yabun stage are Darwin musician Leah Flanagan, Kamilaroi-Tongan singer-songwriter Radical Son, Sydney singer Evie J Willie, Blue Mountains duo Bow & Arrow and Sydney band The Black Turtles.
The Corroboree Ground at Yabun provides an unforgettable cultural experience, with men and women gathering to perform traditional Aboriginal dance.
A unique atmosphere builds around the corroboree circle as the ancient sound of clap sticks merge with didgeridoo and Aboriginal language.
“We’re really excited about Corroboree Ground given how huge it was last year,” Yabun Event Coordinator, Miah Wright said.
“The beauty about Corroboree Ground is that we’ve got dance groups coming from all over the country, they’re going to bringing all of their songs, dances and stories from where they’re from, and that’s quite special, we’re reaching out to all the mobs from all over.” Last year, 10 traditional dance groups travelled from across NSW and Queensland to perform at Corroboree Ground and even more dance groups will perform at the 2016 event.
Yabun Festival Tuesday 26 January, 10am–7pm Victoria Park, corner of Parramatta and City roads, Camperdown. yabun.org.au #yabun2016
For City of Sydney media inquiries: Senior Media Adviser Jodie Minus 0467 803 815 or jminus@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore: Paul Mackay. 0443 182 647 or pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For Yabun media inquiries: Jake Keane 0407 530 619 or news@gadigal.org.au