By Kotnyin Thon
‘’First Light’’, a presentation on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, kicked off Sydney Vivid lights as part of Reconciliation Week.
The work is a powerful acknowledgement and celebration of our First Nations Culture by creative advisor Rhoda Roberts AO; an experienced, motivated and versatile arts executive who is a woman from Bundjalung territories.
‘’The Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons form a stunning backdrop, illuminated by Sharing the Same Life Essence, which celebrates the Gadigal people and Country’’ says the Vivid Sydney website.
Following its opening-night performance First Light is being displayed on screens each night of the festival throughout the 8km light walk from Circular Quay to Central Station as an Acknowledgement of Country.
It’s opening night performance featured a welcome to country, ‘smoking ceremony’ and a special designed performance by NAISDA dancers which was choreographed by Deon Hastie, the Head of Dance at NAISDA dance college and a descendant of the Djabugay people of Far North Queensland.
Vivid Sydney is an annual experience festival of a beautiful graphic images, mixture of lights, music and ideas only held in Sydney, Australia. These are displayed outdoors on iconic structures such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Customs House.
Vivid focuses not only on lights but also great speech and performances by locals and debates with leading creative thinkers. With ongoing shows will end on Saturday, 18th of June 2022.
This is an interesting event to all in Australia as it is important to be ‘’Brave’’ and take forward the unfinished work of reconciliation so we can make change for the benefit of all Australia.
National Reconciliation Week, which runs from May 27 to June 3 each year, is celebrated in places like community organisations and groups, schools, workplaces, and by individuals Australian-Wide.
Featured image: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Australia Vivid light show. Photo: Creative Commons
