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Anzac Day_english version

6th May 2016

Hi everyone,

I started this article almost 10 days ago but not end it …

We wanted to tell you about an event experienced here in Sydney, L’ “Anzac Day” celebrated on April 25th. We were curious and we believed (perhaps because nobody tell about this in our history lessons) that Australia even had participated in any war! We went to see this “party” (now would not call it so) and the parade they do here, thinking it was like our parade of June 2nd.

Well… not really.

It may perhaps be similar in some things but just to want to find similarities.

Let’s start by explaining what  the Anzac Day is… in a few words, I promise! : D

Every year on April 25 Australians and New Zealanders remember (and not celebrating) and commemorate all the soldiers, the armed forces and not only fallen in all wars [Anzac = Australia and New Zealand Army Corps]. Courage, loyalty and sacrifice are remembered on this day celebrated to commemorate the contribution of all the soldiers, the growth of their patriotism and national identity of this country.

Several events are planned and we had noticed that the beginning was between 4 and 5 in the morning! Only after we informed we knew that probably that was the time of the landing in the Dardanelli (Gallipoli) by the Australian and New Zealand troops in 1915. Australians feel much this day and participate in the parade, the parade that is not the magnificence of military uniform maniacally shown in an orderly manner, all with the same pace, with your head straight, without looking at anyone.

Maybe because the reason is different, but.. what at first it seemed to us an untidy procession, cordoned off for no apparent reason … with the passing of the participants it proved a real memory of loved ones died for an ideal, died for their land.                                                                                                                                          To be part of this parade were interspersed with marching bands and bagpipes musicians, soldiers, armed forces, but also everything that there is around,  doctors, firefighters, volunteers and especially civilians with chest medals of a father or a grandfather who gave his life for the country, gentlemen but also elderly men, women, teens and children … Australian, New Zealand but also from the other parts of the world … who in uniform, some in civilian clothes and who in typical costumes of their own land. And many many many elderly gentlemen … who with sad and empty eyes, who with a proud look, and who with the happy look, and “carefree” maybe grateful because today is a little bit different (though unfortunately not all can feel safe in their homes and lands) greeted us, we who were leaning on the barriers to “enjoy the show” …. well, was beautiful and exciting and ….not a really show.

See children with medals of grandfathers or grandmothers who accompanied them with a photo of the deceased loved one in her arm … we don’t hide that has caused us quite a lump in our throat, so pathetically, maybe this not rigorous and that… I don’t know how we can call it, maybe “everyday life ” has involved us, a lot.. they were not parading, they were remembering ..

Was really a special day…

You can found in the album some pictures, if I can also load a video, have concluded the parade a group of musicians … I don’t know how many were really really really many, a great band of 200 members… or maybe more !

Click here for the Photos

Besitos