‘Thriving is an act of resistance’: concert celebrates Holocaust and Indigenous survivors

Sian Darling, organiser of Uprising, tells Paula Towers she has brought together Jewish and Indigenous artists to ‘sing in solidarity and honour our histories’

A GALAXY OF star performers will feature at the Uprising - Songs Of Survival concert on April 26, the evening prior to Yom Hashoah.

The concert, organised by Siân Darling as an inspirational commemoration to show that survival comes in many forms, is also designed “to prepare us to enter into 24 hours of mourning and reflection,” Darling told The Jewish Independent.

“Before we begin, we are reminded that as survivors, we flourish and hold our heads high,” says Darling, who is founder of the Museum of Inherited Memories, and a descendant of Holocaust survivors.

“I’m looking forward to being energised by the songs and stories; live music has really been impacted by Covid, so I’m looking forward to having a whole lot of friends in the same room again, singing with each other, for each other.”

“Uprising brings together Australian Jewish, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to sing in solidarity, celebrate survival and honour our histories,” Darling elaborates. “Inspired by Holocaust memorial and Indigenous justice, this concert honours all for whom we mourn, and respectfully celebrates the survival of our peoples and culture.

“Surviving is not only about living; it is also about thriving in a world that continues to persecute the other. Thriving in this world is an act of resistance, an act of triumph over evil, an act of love over hate.”

The capacity of the venue, the renowned Memo Memorial Hall in Melbourne’s St Kilda, is around 400. And like the first Uprising concert last year, tickets to the live performance sold out quickly.

The response was not surprising, with Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Jess Hitchcock, Deborah Conway, Willy & Hettie Zygier, Jessica Chapnik Kahn, Gabriella Cohen – and more in the line-up. Tickets were modestly priced at $55-$75.

“I wanted to ensure the concert was accessible,” Darling says. “I wasn’t going to do a live stream but I’ve had lots of people asking.” Streaming numbers won’t be capped, and online tickets will be only $18.

Darling is very conscious of the legacy of history. “I’m really motivated by 3rd Gen creating a third-generation Holocaust memorial and the solidarity; that kind of solidarity between people of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.” 

Darling believes song and stories are ideal tools to document, as well as celebrate, survival and resistance to racism, fascism and antisemitism. “I have experienced the rise in antisemitism and as a Jewish woman, I couldn’t be advocating for social justice and equality and ignore my own people, and my own rights.” 

Darling’s background is in working in human rights (she is currently co-Chair of human rights organisation Right Now Inc). “I’m focusing on where I live, Australia – so looking at the cultural safety of all people in Australia, including Jewish people.

“[The concert] is around the Holocaust memorial and Jewish survival. And part of the story of Jewish survival after the Holocaust, is that the displaced Jews – a decimated people, spat out of Europe and the Middle East, were given a safe harbour in Australia.

“We can’t be celebrating our survival without acknowledging and including the stories about First Nations whose lands we’ve had a second chance to survive on – that would be remiss and disrespectful; it is part of our story of survival.

“The Indigenous Peoples of this continent known as ‘Australia’ are vital survivors of genocide and ongoing oppression.”

She places strong emphasis on Indigenous justice. “I’ve worked in the past with Indigenous elders.” To combat racism through music, artists from First Nations and other cultures are featured in the concert, including award-winning opera singer and songwriter Jess Hitchcock – who has family origins in the Torres Straits and Papua New Guinea, and Wurundjerifemale dance group Djirri Djirri Dancers. 

An event of this scale is a lot to organise and has many challenges, and Darling agrees it has been a lot of work but she is very much up for the task. “[This year] I decided to just present it solely through the Museum of Inherited Memories and not partner with another organisation. I prefer to put in the time and care, and just keep working at it, doing the next thing that’s in front of me.”

Darling says working in the music industry, together with her background in activism, informs her work and organisational capacity: “I work closely with all the artists and their managers as a way of ensuring that everybody feels informed and looked-after along the way. And I also work as a curator supporting their song choices.”

Indeed, Darling has put on concerts as well as produced albums (including the renowned Kev Carmody tribute album Cannot Buy My Soul 2020 edition).

In the present climate, Covid-safe practices are on the front foot. When not performing, all artists and crew have been asked to wear masks and the audience will be encouraged to do so. “I have also organised more seating than standing as a way of encouraging social distancing,” Darling states. “I’ll have masks at the door and hand sanitiser around.”

The Jewish Independent is proud to be supporting UPRISING - Songs of Survival as media partner.

To win a double pass to see this concert, simply visit our Instagram page and tag a friend you'd like to bring, and mention which artist you most want to see perform and why.

Winners will be contacted end of day Tuesday 19 April.

Booking in advance for digital tickets is recommended at Memomusichall.com.au