How Different Residents of Australia View January 26th

The 26th of January is engraved in the history books of Australians as the national day of the country, Australia Day. The day is a remembrance of the arrival of the First Fleet in Port Jackson in 1788, led by Captain Arthur Philip. It is a day that reflects, respects, and celebrates the multitude of cultures that prevail in the country, among others. But Australia Day celebrations are not entirely embraced by the natives–Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people along with some non-indigenous people. The Aboriginals are diverse and so are their views and to them this day is a reminder of the grieving and loss they have suffered at the hands of the colonials, including the loss of their sovereignty to their land.

Here is a contrast of how the day is perceived by the different residents of the land.

Since ‘94 all the states and territories have celebrated Australia Day by honoring people who serve their nations and welcoming new citizens through official ceremonies. On the fun side are home barbecues, contests, public parades, live concerts, fireworks and much more. Sydney is a must-visit destination for Australia Day as there are endless events and celebrations that take the centre stage. Along with other events, the day is kicked off by hoisting flags of both Australia and Aboriginals. The Australia Day cruises 2022 are the ideal option for you to catch all the action away from the jam-packed harbour. One can enjoy some famous live events along with the iconic landmarks of the harbour, followed by a delectable lunch, coupled with drinks. The Australia Day Harbour cruises in Sydney are the best vantage to witness the events and will also set the stage to capture some amazing photographs so be sure to check them out. People also wait till after dark to view the much awaited fireworks show of Darling Harbour that has been part of the tradition for years.

For numerous indigineous such as the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, 26th is known as Invasion Day or Survival Day and they celebrate the survival of their culture and people. It aims to recognise the mixed nature of January 26th, and as a collective, the nation can only move forward with maturity and honesty so as to safeguard the culture. The Yabun Festival in NSW, a celebration of indigenous people and their music is an event that is live streamed to the general public. Another prominent event in the city is the WugulOra Morning Ceremony, an early morning celebration of the oldest living culture with dance, music and a smoking ceremony in Barangaroo. These are some of the prime examples of how the nation is respecting the original custodians of the land and how as a collective they can move forward towards a more unified Australia.

Looking for ideas and activities to celebrate Australia Day in Sydney. I am a blogger who loves to share unique ideas about travelling or to celebrate occasions in a different way.