Cultures unite for Harmony Week event

AN Indigenous man playing the didgeridoo, Japanese Taiko drummers and a Brazilian singer came together for the Global Beats Byron Bay World Music Lantern Parade last weekend.

After being postponed due to rain the week before, organiser Mayu Akiba said the event was a great success, with clear, sunny skies.

After the cultural performance at Main Beach, which also included hula dancing, the musicians took part in a parade to Railway Park, where children made lanterns at Byron Twilight Market.

Byron Taiko drummers performed before leading the lantern parade back to Main Beach after dark.

“The Lismore Lantern team gave 50 lanterns worth $750 for free to the Byron Bay community so we could all together walk together for the parade,” Akiba said.

“It came about through Byron Taiko and Lismore Lantern having a good relationship and visiting and supporting each other with in-kind contributions.”

Akiba is now organising the annual Japan Festival Byron Bay, which she hopes to hold in late September.

“Both our events are free for the local community,” she said.

“We are aware that parking is a big issue to hold events in the centre of Byron Bay, and we have had many discussions with Byron Shire Council and representatives from its Event Management BootCamp program.

“They have suggested to move to a bigger venue, such as the Green Room at the Bluesfest site, but the purpose of our events is for the local community. We are not interested in making it a big event in a big venue.

“To keep the event free, all we need is volunteer power, sponsorship, contributions from the council and local businesses, and hopefully Byron Bay’s parking problems will be better with the new council strategy.”