Several people swimming up to the sand on a beach, with some of them getting out of the water. There is a long jetty in the background.

In January 2022, after 6 lockdowns, Melbourne saw the return of large-scale public events for the first time since March 2020. To mark this post-lockdown milestone, photographer Tyr (Jiayuan) Liang captured a series of images of various events on 26 January 2022 from around Melbourne. 

These photographs capture a changing moment as the people of Melbourne were once again able to go out and gather – something they hadn’t been able to do in a very long time. The images also illustrate the importance of the National Library to collect today for what will be important tomorrow. 

Explore the January 26 Events series in Trove

Lots of people gathered outdoors in a park with tall city buildings in the background, in front of a stage with big TV screens showing a concert.
Jiayuan Liang, Daryl Braithwaite performing on stage at a free concert in Flagstaff Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria, 26 January 2022, nla.obj-3085464451
Many people gathered on some grass watching a traditional First Nations smoking ceremony
Jiayuan Liang, Smoking ceremony during the We-Akon Dilinja (mourning reflection) ceremony, St Kilda, Victoria, 26 January 2022, nla.obj-3085464438
Crowds standing near a ceremonial fire during a First Nations mourning reflection ceremony
Jiayuan Liang, Crowds standing near a ceremonial fire during the We-Akon Dilinja (mourning reflection) ceremony, St Kilda, Victoria, 26 January 2022, nla.obj-3085464472
Two people on a stage in front of a crowd. One person is standing at a microphone singing, and the other is sitting next to her beating a drum with one hand and shaking a percussion instrument with the other.
Jiayuan Liang, Wiradjuri soprano and composer Shauntai Batzke and accompanist performing during the We-Akon Dilinja (mourning reflection) ceremony, St Kilda, Victoria, 26 January 2022, nla.obj-3085464519
Several people swimming up to the sand on a beach, with some of them getting out of the water. There is a long jetty in the background.
Jiayuan Liang, Participants in the Kieser Great Australia Day Swim event, Middle Brighton Beach, Victoria, 26 January 2022, nla.obj-3085464495

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