Celebrating Anzac Day with Lazyshark

April 20, 2010 - PRLog -- On 25th April Australia and New Zealand celebrate ANZAC Day, a national holiday.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first landing at Gallipoli. Originally intended by the Allied Forces to be a stealth strike to capture Istanbul the conflict dragged on for over 8 months. Eventually the Allied forces were evacuated but not before over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers had lost their lives.

Normally bitterly independent from each other and arch rivals, especially on the sporting field, Anzac Day is unique as both countries unite to share in this joint day of remembrance.
There are marches, ceremonies and parades in Australia and New Zealand. Around both countries “Last Post” ceremonies are held in virtually every suburb and town. It is common, especially in Australia, to see many younger Aussies draped in the national flag, dressed from head to toe in the national colours of green and gold. It is exceptionally moving to watch the younger generations paying their respects to those who lost their lives fighting their freedom.

In recent years there has been a growing tradition by many Australians and New Zealanders to make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli itself for Anzac Day to gather and pay their respects. To witness this, book a hostel early, and get to the Anzac Commemorative Site early to hear the ceremony and see the parades. For those interested in the history surrounding Gallipoli a visit to the Kabatepe War Museum is recommended to help understand how important this battle was to the allied forces.

Anzac Day has not been without its fair share of controversy though. Certain groups, famously ex Australian PM Paul Keating, are opposed to the growing celebrations that take place at Anzac Cove itself claiming it is wrong to suggest the nation was born again at that time and place. Then in 2005 a concert was hosted on site the night before with revellers sleeping between headstones and leaving the place looking like a waste dump. Amazingly some young Australians don’t realise that Anzac Day involves New Zealand as well, even though ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

However on the whole support and attendance for ANZAC day in both countries is growing year on year.

The Lazyshark.com “What’s on in Australia and New Zealand” section means travellers and backpackers can keep themselves in the know as to what events and festivals are happening whilst they are travelling around Australasia and when they are taking place.

ENDS

For further media information please contact Stuart Harrison, PR and Marketing Director, Lazyshark.com on 07949 219822 or email stu@lazyshark.com

# # #

Lazyshark.com is dedicated to the international backpacker, specialising in the Australasian market. It provides the traveller with 3 core services: an information resource; a social community; and a booking platform for accommodation and trips and tours.