Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, and so it was a privilege to be invited to perform across different locations in Hobart in celebration of our diversity.
For the Academy, we kicked off celebrations at Moonah Primary School where we were invited to perform at their Harmony Week 2021 celebrations on 19 March 2021. It was a privilege to bring our Lion, Dragon as well as sword dances to the school grounds and perform for a captivated audience of kids, teachers and parents alike!
Moonah Primary School performances
The group then performed at the lunch time pop-up Harmony Day event on 19 March, jointly presented by the City of Hobart and the University of Tasmania. Alongside the lion dance, it was wonderful to enjoy performances by many different cultures and traditions across two locations of Elizabeth Mall.
City of Hobart pop-up Harmony Week event
In other Harmony Week events, the Faith Communities Network hosted a panel of faith leaders on the topic of 'Leading Faith Communities in Difficult Times' in the afternoon of 21 March. Master Wang was invited to speak as a Buddhist representative, and discussed the concept that humankind is a non-connected whole entity, thereby illustrating the intimate relationship humans share and our need to unite and cooperate in times of great difficulty, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. As such, Master Wang outlined the various activities that the Buddhist community have been taking part in, to assist those who are affected by the pandemic.
Finally, on 31 March 2021 it was an honour to once again return to the school grounds of Hobart College to perform the lion and sword dances for students and teachers, as part of their Harmony Day celebrations. Not only have we been associated with the college for over two decades, but two of the team members are alumni of the school, and therefore it is always a special occasion returning and performing for the students there today.
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