TANDERRUM (Kulin for ceremony) is a celebration of the ground we stand on and of the people whose ancestors walked it before our time.

This powerful event brings together Elders from the five clans of the Eastern Kulin: Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Taungurung, Dja Dja Wurrung and the Wadawurrung to celebrate their rich cultural heritage and formally open the 2015 Melbourne Festival.

Through TANDERRUM, Melbourne Festival and its visitors acknowledge the lore of creator spirit Bunjil and pay their respects to the vibrant and living culture of this land. When local and international artists pass through the smoke, they agree to follow the lore of the land and pay their respect to its custodians before receiving permission to perform song and dance on this land.

This is the lore of Bunjil that has existed for over 50,000 years.

Learn the final dance!

At the end of the ceremony we're encouraging all of Melbourne to join in and dance! The steps are easy—check out the video below, or join us at a free public rehearsal on Tuesday 06 October at 5.30pm in Federation Square. More details on Facebook.