The Dreaming Festival
June 10th 2007 09:39
Anita Heiss was the first speaker I saw. What a hilarious woman! She read from her various books and had some rather profound statements - one which has stuck with me -
there is no such thing as an Aborigine. That is simply a name that settlers gave us.
A story that also stuck in my mind was of her once being on a plane to LA from Melbourne and overhearing a conversation where a woman proclaimed her pride at being a FOURTH GENERATION Australian. She turned to her colleague and asked what they would think of her being a FOUR THOUSANDTH generation Australian! In making reference to the Cronulla riots and placards that were raised stating WE WERE HERE FIRST she laughed and announced, 'Well, we would not expect them to say "WE WERE HERE SECOND" '. If you can get hold of any of her books I would recommend the read, even better if you can catch her in person. 
What would any festival be like without street performers? A lot of the children set up their own busking stalls throughout the site which was really cute. There were a lot of instruments on sale and you could see that a lot of parents had gone wild on them. I would just love to be a fly on the wall when they got home... and the instruments followed!
As the sun was setting the Festival took on a whole new light. The sun was just tinting the bottom of the clouds that had been hanging around all day. All the lights started flickering on and the fires were lit.... a winter wonderland! The food was an amazing array from all over the world - Turkey, Hungary, Jamaica, India... the best? Organic doughnuts made from all organic ingredients and rainwater. YUM!
As the fires lit the place and warmed the cold bodies so microphones and speakers were dragged out and story tellers began their tales. The best environment to be in! Cold, fresh breezes circulating the air mingling with tales of days gone by and warmed by the flickering light of burning logs... what better way to spend an evening?
What I felt the best thing about the whole experience was the fact that for one day I was surrounded by a massive mix of cultures, an entwining of accents, of skin tones, of beliefs... and everyone could join together in a celebration and just be. By the time bed was calling the wind had really picked up. I had opted out of the tent option and slept in the car which I was really happy about considering the chill factor outside. 4 duvets and a woollen blanket later I was quite happy to be locked away in my little cocoon being lulled to sleep by the rhythmic sounds of a group of drummers. If you are into Cultural Experiences and interested in celebrating the real Australian history and heritage I would suggest a visit next year!
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
That banner is something else again, and the rest is fascinating.
Interesting post, well done as always, the drums are calling you, I can tell, back to blackest Africa, the darkness swells.
katyzzz
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
Beuatiful peice!! Tammy
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I couldn't make it this year, although I knew about it, had to nurse me daughter... so I have really enjoyed hearing (and seeing) your report of the daily events...
I will certainly make a go of it, next year.
The stories by the fire sounds FANTASTIC!!!
...Magical...
Hope you've warmed up now...*lol*
Lilla ...
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Ah a dandelion... it has been years since I have seen one and came across this a few weeks ago on my travels around the mountains.
The drums have always fascinated me. I would love to play the Doumbek.... sighh so many things and I never get the time to do them.....
ash
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
very sad.. I have since found out that he actually died during a performance on Saturday morning. They had a cleansing ceremony for him yesterday. How awful for his colleagues and family.
I have really missed winter and it is only just starting to get chilly here. It felt like I was in a cocoon I tell you just my eyes popping out from between the edge of the duvets and the bottom of the beanie. The wind really picked up at around 11ish and a something banged the car (It must have been a falling stick or something)... well I nearly wet myself! thank goodness I have tinted windows because no one can see in when it`s dark!
ash
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
This was my first year and I was really impressed. It was an eye opener for me to hear the stories particularly because of my background in Africa.. I won`t launch into long details but it is always enlightening to listen to things from another side of the story.
I wish that I had the time to have stayed longer... household chores meant I only got there in the afternoon ~as the clouds were rolling in~ but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The fireside stories were one of my top favourites, ranking in with listening to the drums going... wow!
I am warmer now... have transferred my duvets to my bed.... 3 and I`m in my little cocoon every night now
ash
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
"WE WERE HERE SECOND!"
Comment by LaurenD
Fantastic post and pics. Brilliant. Only sorry I missed it! See you there next year!
LaurenD
Comment by raj