The City of Sydney has increased its support for this year’s Yabun Festival on Friday 26 January at Victoria Park, Broadway.
A big, day-long community celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, Yabun means ‘music to a beat’ in the Sydney Aboriginal language.
Organised by Gadigal Information Service, operators of Koori Radio, this year’s event is supported by a $190,000 grant from long-time supporter, the City of Sydney. The City of Sydney is also offering free entry to Victoria Park Pool for festival-goers on the day.
“The Yabun Festival is more than just a gathering. It’s a living testament to the enduring strength and vibrancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,” Gadigal Information Service chair Dallas Wellington said.
“This year’s theme, ‘Surviving, Guiding, Thriving’, celebrates the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“We warmly invite people from all backgrounds to join us in celebrating the world’s oldest living cultures at this unique event.”
Yabun features an exciting line-up of emerging and established musicians on the main stage, including Emily Wurramara, Frank Yamma, Tasman Keith, Fred Leone and Velvet Trip.
Dance performances will take place at the Corroboree Ground featuring groups from across Sydney and NSW, including Yangkay, Jannawi Dance Clan, Mui Mui Bumer Gedlam, Wagana Aboriginal Dancers and Brolga Dance Academy.
The Speak Out tent will host conversations about topics of interest to Aboriginal communities and a bustling marketplace of stallholders will also set up at the event.
“The Yabun Festival honours the survival of the world’s oldest living culture. It is a day of culture, performance and truth telling,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
“In my time as Lord Mayor I have been really pleased to watch crowds at Yabun Festival grow, and with it our community’s understanding of resistance and mourning. The City of Sydney is proud to support this important event and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
Visit yabun.org.au
