After the Fall of Saigon (April 30, 1975), many Vietnamese were forced to leave their motherland and sought refuge in distant countries throughout the world. Many Vietnamese were fortunate to resettle in Australia thanks to the government's leadership of the day and the compassion of the Australian people.
The Vietnamese commenced their new life from the humble beginnings in the high rise buildings of Flemington, Collingwood and Carlton in the 1970s and 1980s. From countless hours on the factory floors of Ford and Toyota to the thousands of sewing machines operating 24/7 in the bedrooms of families, many Vietnamese parents and grandparents have sacrificed their lives to create a better future for their children. The children, grown up in that loving environment, have benefited from the hard work ethics, the love for their motherland and the desire to be contributors to society.
The theatrical drama, titled “Hanh Trinh 35 Nam”, depicts the journey of the Vietnamese people it expresses the pain and anguish of the Vietnamese people having forced to leave the country; the suffering inflicted by the Communists, their dangerous pursuit to seek freedom at sea, facing sea pirates and deadly weather conditions; to the challenges of the new life in the new country. It also shows the desire of the people to see freedom back in their motherland.
This performance is recognition of the collective wisdom passed on by the parents and grandparents to the children of today.
Photos by: n.9oo9le
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