Melbourne, compared to Brisbane is very European in many respects - cultural, bohemian, even decadent to an extent. There's a ton to do, when you just happen to discover what's going on. Apparently communication happens in newspapers, tv or some other media - for some reason, internet isn't the de facto channel (or our skills to navigate in the Australian side of internet are hopelessly limited).
We do, however, sometimes manage to run into interesting things happening in the town, and adventure out to see what's cooking. Here's some adventures and pictures so far:
Australia Day
Australia Day actually celebrates the beginning of the Federation - the beginning of a new Empire settled on the Australian continent. The festivities are big, with all kinds of events, parties and funny hats thrown together to celebrate the Aussie nationalism. On the other hand, the celebration is shadowed by the sinister, bloody history of the federation - mistreatment of the native population, brutal and selfish takeover of the land, in a fashion similar to the conquest of the American continent.
The Melbourne Now had an open exhibition day
(and they had great Finnish design by Alvar Aalto and Tapio Wirkkala on display)
And you gotta dress up :)
Chinese New Year
Melbourne, just like many Australian major citites, has a huge share of immigrant population. What is really dominant in Melbourne in particular is the huge Chinese section, with its conventional chartered territory in Melbourne cbd. During the Chinese New Year, the major celebration of their calendar year, this becomes even more so. We took a peek :
Melbourne Eco Weekend
One major trend that is apparent in Australia, but particularly in Melbourne, is the eco-movement with its borderline hippie manifestations. A festival for the different facets of ecological and sustainable living is organised in Melbourne, with a whole bunch of freebies, seminars and interesting assortment of weird food.
And the always lovely Laneway coffeehouse, Manchester Press
White night
White supremacy? Eugenics? Not really. The light and audio festival in Melbourne just happens to have a name that brings about all the wrong associations. One explanation would be a misspelling (Light Night), which would make much more sense, but I guess someone out there knows better.
Nevertheless, it was all pretty pretty.
And so many people..
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