@ajsadauskas Last year there were 65,000 people attending Yabun. In my estimate, this year had even more people.

Truly massive crowd.

Some more background about the festival from the organisers:

"Yabun, “music to a beat” in the Gadigal language, is one of the most significant cultural gatherings on the national calendar. As the largest and most powerful community-led celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Australia, Yabun brings First Nations people and allies together to honour history, acknowledge loss, and celebrate the ongoing survival, strength, and excellence of First Nations Peoples. The festival showcases the depth, diversity and vibrancy of First Nations Culture through a full day of traditional and contemporary music, dance, panel discussions, workshops, markets and community activations.

"Held annually on 26 January, Yabun offers a vital space for truth-telling, cultural expression and community connection. For many, it is a day of reflection and remembrance; for others, it is a powerful affirmation of endurance and cultural pride. For all who attend, it is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with the world’s oldest living culture.

"From its grassroots beginnings, the Yabun Festival has grown into a highly anticipated event that draws people from across Australia and beyond. Hosted in Victoria Park, Camperdown, the festival continues to expand both in scale and impact. In 2025, an estimated 65,000 people attended in person, filling the park from morning to evening, with thousands more tuning in via livestreams across the country and internationally.

"Founded in 2003 as a continuation of the early Survival Day events of the 1990s, Yabun remains 100% Aboriginal-owned and led through the Gadigal Information Service (GIS). Those early gatherings were built on a spirit of resilience and resistance, celebrating the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures and honouring the Elders, activists and community members who fought and continue to fight for justice, equality and self-determination. Yabun carries that legacy forward, ensuring these stories, voices and histories remain central to the national conversation.

"Gadigal Information Service (GIS) is a prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, media and cultural organisation based in Redfern, Sydney. Established in 1993, GIS is home to Koori Radio, which broadcasts 24/7 across Greater Sydney on 93.7FM, simulcasts on DAB+, and streams live globally. Through music, storytelling, news, language and community programming, GIS amplifies First Nations voices and perspectives every day."

https://yabun.org.au/

Some more info about GIS, and donation info here: https://www.gadigalinformation.com.au/

#auspol #Sydney #NSW #Australia #Aboriginal #SurvivalDay #FirstNations