Almost 70 years ago, over 1000 Japanese prisoners attempted to escape from Cowra's prisoner of war camp.
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This year we commemorate this very significant anniversary with this itinerary of events.
Official opening of the Cowra Breakout 70th Anniversary Art Exhibition, The World Heritage Photos of Japan A Photographic Exhibition. Supported by the Japan Foundation, Sydney
8pm: Australian Premiere of Honcho’s Meeting in Cowra (Cowra no Hancho Kaigi). Presented by the Ringkogun Theatre Company - Tokyo at Cowra Civic Centre in Darling Street, Cowra. Ticket price $30 adults, $25 concession, $20 children, $100 family (2 adults, 3 children).
10am - 4pm: Italian POW Heritage display. Official launch 10am Cowra Regional Art Gallery (entry – free). Organised by the Cowra/Italy Friendship Association. Exhibition open from August 1.
10am- 4pm: Cowra Breakout 70th Anniversary Art Exhibition. Cowra Regional Art Gallery (entry – free).
2pm: Matinee Performance of Honcho’s Meeting in Cowra (Cowra no Honcho Kaigo). Presented by the Rinkogun Theatre Company - Tokyo. Cowra Civic Centre - Darling Street, Cowra. Ticket price $30 adults, $25 concession, $20 children, $100 family (two adults, children).
7pm: Screening ‘Can you see our lights’ (45 mins). Supported by Japan Foundation, Sydney. Cowra Bowling Club (free admission).
8am: Church Service at St Raphael’s Catholic Church with special mention of Cowra Breakout. Kendal Street Cowra.
2pm - 4pm: Cowra Breakout 70th Anniversary Art Exhibition. Cowra Regional Art Gallery (Entry – free).
2pm - 4pm: Italian POW Historical display. Cowra Regional Art Gallery (Entry – free). Organised by the Cowra/Italy Friendship Association.
1pm: Major Japanese cultural activities including wreath laying ceremonies in both the Australian and Japanese War Cemeteries. Special serving of tea to the war dead in both sections of the Cowra War Cemeteries by Urasenke Deputy Tea Master Sokaku Kurakazu. Organised by Chado Urasenke Tankokai, to perform in honour of the dead: Sakura Choir - Music Director and Conductor Mr. Sadaharu Muramatsu.
2.30pm: Japanese cultural activities Sakura Choir - Music Director and Conductor Mr. Sadaharu Muramatsu Taiko no Wa - TaikOz Hokkai Ahondara Kai - Yosakoi Soran dance.
7pm: Cowra Japanese Garden Dinner with entertainment. Guest speaker Harry Gordon
Musical entertainment – November Shorn Cowra Services Club
Ticket price $55 (Ticket price includes lantern for use in procession to POW Campsite 4 August. ‘Signing of Agreement between Sugao School and Japanese Garden gift of trees’.
9am -11am: ABC – Morning Show Live Broadcasting from the Japanese Garden
10am - 11am: Veterans visit to schools
11am: Launch of Local Photographic Exhibition ‘Four seasons in the Garden’
2pm: Wreath laying ceremony at the grave of Private Edward George Henderson Cowra General Cemetery. RAAF flypast (to be confirmed)
4pm: World Peace Bell ceremony (Includes ringing of World Peace Bell by an official representative of countries at war on 4 August 1914.)
4.45pm: Immediately following the conclusion of the World Peace Ceremony a lone runner will depart from the World Peace Bell and travel via Bellevue Hill to the carpark of the Cowra Japanese Garden. The runner will then lead a community procession along Sakura Avenue to the Cowra POW Campsite.
6pm - 7.30pm: An evening community event at the Cowra Prisoner of War Campsite featuring performances by local entertainers and testimony from Breakout participants. (shuttle bus back to Japanese Garden Carpark) Dress warmly, open air event.
7.30 pm for 8.00 pm: Dinner. Guest Speaker Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie AC DSC CSM (Ret’d) Chair of NSW Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council at Cowra Bowling Club. Ticket price $55. (Ticket price includes lantern for use in procession to POW Campsite 4 August.)
2am: A ceremonial event at 2am on Tuesday, August 5, to commemorate the commencement of the Cowra POW Breakout.
7am: Media Breakfast Japanese Garden
8.30am: Wreath laying ceremony at the Doncaster Memorial Canowindra Road Cowra.
9.15am: Wreath laying at the Memorial Cairn located at Cowra POW Campsite
9.30am: Unveiling of new interpretive signage at the Cowra Prisoner of War Campsite - signage donated by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sydney Inc, Japanese Society of Sydney Inc and Japan Club of Sydney Inc.
10.30am: Official wreath layings at Australian and Japanese War Cemeteries
11am: Religious and cultural ceremonies held at the Japanese War Cemetery including a short formal Buddhist ceremony conducted by Rev. Watanabe – Hongwanji Buddhist Mission of Australia (This ceremony will be followed by services conducted by other Buddhist and Shinto representatives)
1pm: Cowra Prisoner of War Breakout 70th Anniversary luncheon – with Guest Speaker renowned Australian author Tom Keneally – Cowra Services Club – Ticket price $50
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