Managing the cultural program at the Australian pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo has been a major career highlight for local Torres Strait Islander Leilani Bin-Juda.
With nearly 3.5 million visitors since opening in May, the pavilion continues to be a popular must see pavilion at expo.
Leilani said: Every day we welcome 40,000-50,000 visitors – seven days a week.
It is an exciting time to share Australian stories, art and culture with our many visitors so they learn a little bit more about us as a people and as a nation.
I am very proud that we have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content throughout the pavilion “ in the exhibits, the cultural program, multimedia presentations and in retail, said Leilani.
The cultural program focuses primarily on up-and-coming, export-ready talent.
Performers from a range of fields visit the Australian pavilion every week to entertain the crowds.
Next month Indigenous Australia will take centre stage as part of Oceania month, and included among performers is Torres Strait Islander group Ariw Poenipan and the Aboriginal group Mornington Island Dancers.
I’m sure there will be a real buzz when the dancers perform because of the huge interest here in Australia’s Indigenous art and culture, Leilani said.
