In our cultural calendar, the month is filled with various May celebrations from all around the world, such as World Belly Dance Day and Africa Day. The month even ends with National Reconciliation Week, to commemorate the history and culture of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.  May is known as the month of transition, where in the Northern Hemisphere, the fresh cold winds disappear, bringing along the blooming of flowers and chirping of birds. In Australia however, May is the final month of Autumn, transitioning into the beginning of Winter. But don’t worry – the weather is still mild, and it is an amazing time for sightseeing if you aren’t up for the sweltering heat!  Children’s Day Japan   5th May  The first celebration in our calendar to start of the exciting May is Children’s Day in Japan. This day, also known as Kodomo no hi, is a national holiday in Japan with its origins filled with rich history. It is a holiday to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness. On this day, koinobori, a carp-shaped windsock, are typically flown on poles outside of public buildings and houses to symbolise their desire for children to become brave and strong individuals. Within their homes, families also display miniature Japanese armour and kabuto called Gogatsu Ningyo (May doll), as they represent courage and strength.  Our Japanese Infusion program brings Japanese culture to life, using songs, games and storytelling to teach children about Japanese culture, traditions, seasons and celebrations. This program is available face-to-face in New South Wales and online in all other states. Our Japanese Calligraphy and Japanese Ink Painting programs teach students different types of brush techniques and touch on Japanese history and origins. These programs are available in Victoria, guided by award-winning artist Junko.   We also offer Taiko Drumming programs in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. This traditional and original Japanese music program combines amazing performances and interactive workshops to introduce Japanese culture through music and language.  Cinco de Mayo   5th May  Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States to commemorate the triumph over the French empire in 1862. The day is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, as the victory of Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination, with military parades, speeches and reenactments of the battle.  Nowadays, celebrations include parades, parties, Mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional dishes such as tacos and mole poblano. In the United States, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston are places that host some of the largest festivals.  Available in New South Wales, our Viva Mexico program explores the wonder of traditional Mexican and Spanish music. Students will learn folk dances and the basics of Spanish language through popular song lyrics. Not only that, but they’ll also get the opportunity to see performances with some Mariachi instruments up close while learning the cultural history of these instruments.   Latin American Dance (available in Victoria, New South Wales, Australia Capital Territory and South Australia) and Latino Grooves (available in South Australia) are another two programs that explore these music traditions, this time in the form of dance! These educational programs introduce students to Latin dance styles like Salsa, Bachata and Tango, and provide insightful cultural history of the dances in Latin America.   World Belly Dance Day 11th May  Celebrated on the second Saturday of May every year, World Belly Dance Day was created to acknowledge the ancient art of belly dance and to dispel common misconceptions surrounding it. The Middle Eastern dance is characterised by intricate movements of the torso, hips and arms, often accompanied by vibrant music and elaborate costumes.  Belly dancing is a welcoming and inclusive art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, body types and fitness levels.   Whether you’re interested in exploring a new cultural tradition, getting a workout or simply having fun, our Middle Eastern Belly Dance program offers something for everyone. Through this program available in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, students get to explore Arabic cultures through stories and movement while also learning the meaning behind each move.  World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue & Development   21st May  Sometimes abbreviated as World Day for Cultural Diversity, this day serves as an opportunity to promote the importance of cultural diversity and harmony in societies around the world. On this day, various events and activities are organised worldwide to raise awareness about the importance of cultural diversity and encourage dialogue and cooperation among different cultures. This is to emphasise the need to recognise and celebrate the richness of cultural heritage and creativity, while also promoting equal opportunities for individuals of all cultural backgrounds.   Our Multicultural Day program, available as both an All-Day and Half Day experience Australia-wide, is a perfect way for participants to immerse themselves in Australia’s rich diversity of ethnic communities. With a choice of three or five cultural presentations, participants can explore specific cultures or languages in-depth or travel the world with a range of assorted programs. To complement this experience, we also offer free educational resources and lesson plans to help navigate students through their comprehension of intercultural understanding.  International Day for Biological Diversity   22nd May International Day for Biological Diversity is commemorated annually to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and its conservation. It highlights the rich variety of life on Earth, including plants, animals and microorganisms, and emphasises the vital role biodiversity plays in sustaining ecosystems, providing ecosystem services, and supporting human well-being. The day aims to promote efforts to protect and conserve biodiversity, address the threats it faces such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution and overexploitation of resources, and encourage sustainable practices that promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.   Hero Ladybirds Galapagos Islands is a scientific educational program we have, to help teach children basic ecology through quirky stories from firsthand experience and the help of cute hand puppets. This interactive educational program is presented by ecologist Carolina and is available in Victoria.   Africa Day   25th May  Africa Day is celebrated annually to promote unity and solidarity among African nations and advocating for the decolonisation of Africa. Africa Day serves as a reminder of the continent’s rich history, cultural diversity and ongoing struggle for independence, unity and development. It provides an opportunity for African people worldwide to celebrate their heritage, achievements and contributions to the world, while also reflecting on the challenges and opportunities facing the continent today. Cultural festivals, conferences, seminars and discussions on topics related to African unity and development are held on this day.   In our Rhythms and Instruments of West Africa program, we showcase the musical cultures of West Africa through rhythms and songs from Ghana, Guinea and Senegal by introducing students to a wide range of African traditional instruments. Available in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, this fun and interactive program will give students the opportunity to play the drums and other percussion instruments firsthand!   Songs of Uganda and Mbira of Zimbabwe are interactive educational programs that center on the traditional instruments of Africa as well. Each unique to two different parts of Africa, students from Queensland and Western Australia respectively will learn the rich history of these African cultures while accompanying the presenters with instruments and by singing some traditional tunes.   Ethiopian Dance and Culture in Victoria explores the diversity of Ethiopian culture through songs, dance moves and stories. This highly interactive program presented by Seble teaches students the cultural significance behind the dance and music, while also sharing her experience travelling around the world with the Ethiopian Circus.  Dates to Commemorate:  National Sorry Day   26th May  National Sorry Day is a time for reflection and acknowledgment of the injustices inflicted upon Indigenous Australians. Stemming from the legacy of the Stolen Generations, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families, this day serves as a solemn reminder of past wrongs.  It’s a moment for all Australians to express remorse for these actions and to commit to reconciliation efforts. While National Sorry Day may be brief, its impact is profound, reminding us of the ongoing journey towards healing and unity in our nation.  As we observe National Sorry Day, let’s take the time to listen to the stories and experiences of the Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants in our Aboriginal Culture For A Day (available in Victoria) and Aboriginal Infusion (available in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales) educational programs. Let’s acknowledge the resilience and strength of Indigenous cultures and discover its beauty through dance, symbolic art, didgeridoo and a wide range of other engaging activities.   National Reconciliation Week   28th May to 3rd June  National Reconciliation Week (NRW) in Australia commemorates the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. It is a time to reflect on our nation’s history, acknowledge the injustices and trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while celebrating their resilience and cultural richness. NRW empowers individuals and communities to address past wrongs with courage and compassion, paving the way for a more inclusive and reconciled Australia where all voices are heard and valued.  Aboriginal Storytelling Through Art in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales is a hands-on educational workshop where students will learn symbolic art from Aboriginal culture. This unique experience will give students the opportunity to create and share their own stories, perfect for intercultural experience at any age! Aboriginal Storytelling and Artefacts in New South Wales, Australia Capital Territory and Western Australia on the other hand, combines storytelling with an introduction to the history of Aboriginal tools and artefacts. Students will get to immerse themselves in Aboriginal culture throughout this program by acting out stories and engaging with cultural artefacts.  Book your May celebrations now!  Explore our cultural programs available Australia-wide HERE to celebrate and commemorate important dates for the month of May.  Next month, we will join you again to introduce you to the cultural dates to celebrate in June!