Yagan Square will host a three-day cultural and entertainment festival starting on Friday (March 22) to celebrate the Noongar season of Bunuru.
The family friendly Bunuru Festival, from March 22 to 24, follows Yagan Square’s recent one-year birthday celebration and cements the square’s role as a place of meeting, celebration and connection in the centre of the Perth central business district.
Developed in collaboration with the Whadjuk people, Yagan Square is the first significant site in an Australian city to be named in honour of an Aboriginal person.
The architecture, artworks and landscaping are infused with Aboriginal stories and provide a uniquely Western Australian experience.
Members of the community are invited to attend the festival from 11am each day with live music, activities for kids, Aboriginal dance and market stalls.
The Bunuru season, which runs from February to March, is known for its freshwater foods and visitors can sample the best of Western Australian produce from more than 15 boutique operators in and around Yagan Square’s landmark Market Hall.
Visitors can also view Yagan Square’s landmark digital tower which will showcase the live performers and exhibit artwork from established and emerging local artists.
As well as the tower there is also the amphitheatre, children’s play area and pedestrian mall, which is marked by the towering Wirin statue.
As noted by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Since opening last year, the Western Australian community has embraced Yagan Square and the State Government’s vision for the space and brought the precinct to life.
“Yagan Square has improved the accessibility and functioning of Perth’s central train and rail stations, and is an outstanding example of the benefits of creating a vibrant space close to public transport.
“The McGowan Government’s plans for METRONET will extend that approach to sustainable growth and the benefits this brings to the community even further.”
As noted by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“This free community event is being hosted at Yagan Square to bring our community together to learn more about Aboriginal culture and to connect with our State’s rich landscape, culture and heritage.
“The State Government’s collaboration with the Whadjuk people, through the Whadjuk Working Group, has created a very special destination at Yagan Square that strengthens local and international understanding of Aboriginal culture.”
