Buzz
Spring in the Southern Hemisphere sees beaches bustling with sunbathers and springtime revelers. It's also the season for joyful festivals and events.
Travel to Australia to witness the Festival of Winds, a springtime festival
Springtime has arrived in Australia. Parks are adorned with blossoms, and after admiring the flowers, locals flock to the beaches. One of the liveliest and most popular beaches is Bondi Beach, located approximately 7km from Sydney's central business district, where spring festivals often take place.
My family and I were fortunate to attend such a festival. We experienced the Festival of the Winds, held on a sunny Sunday in early September each year.
Every year, the Festival of Winds at Bondi Beach attracts up to 50,000 visitors, along with hundreds of kite makers from Australia and around the world.
The Festival of Winds, among numerous beach festivals, was first organized in 1978, inspired by the Australian Kite Flyers Society.
To satisfy the joy of kite-making, creativity, and flying, as well as to contribute to Sydney's tourism, the society sought permission from the Australian Government to organize a series of recreational activities alongside kite-flying.
The designated kite-flying spot will be a public beach, with Bondi Beach being chosen.
If you happen to be in Sydney on the festival's main day, you'll witness colorful kites filling the sky, featuring various modern innovative designs, unlike the rudimentary kites of the past.
The kites at the 2016 festival came in all shapes and sizes: from cartoon characters to small boats, airplanes, battleships, and more.
Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to participate in a series of artistic performances right on the beach: singing, dancing... This year, there's an added unique element with a costume competition inspired by Australian indigenous culture.
Amidst the vibrant beach filled with sunshine and breeze, everyone greets each other with smiles: “Have a lovely Sunday!”
Bondi Beach is a household name for Australians, consistently ranked among the country's and the world's most renowned beaches. It features prominently in postcards, travel websites, films, and television programs.
Another alluring aspect is the annual Bondi Beach beauty pageant, where visitors can discreetly admire sunbathers basking topless (of course, with respect). However, beyond sunbathing, Bondi Beach is an ideal venue for hosting various events, including community art performances, sports activities, and festivals.
Additional Information
In the Aboriginal Australian language, 'Bondi' translates to the sound of the waves (some websites inaccurately translate it as a beach physique).
Opened for public bathing by the government in 1882, Bondi was previously private land operated by O’Brien as an amusement park and camping ground from 1855 to 1877. Further back, it was a migrant settlement for those arriving in Australia to live and work.
Initially, New Zealanders sought temporary residence for job opportunities. After World War II, many Jewish individuals from Poland, Russia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Germany arrived and settled. Today, the Bondi area has become a thriving hub for many affluent Asian-origin families, evolving into a culturally diverse and prosperous neighborhood.
As reported by Tuổi Trẻ
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourSeptember 22, 2016
