Why I love the Sydney Opera House

The art is accessible, the participants come from all social backgrounds and the architecture seduces.

The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australian office. This week's issue is written by Damien Cave, Australian Bureau Chief.

Earlier this week, while I was queuing at the Opera from Sydney for an event In the concert hall with Amy Poehler linked to the new film "Inside Out 2", I looked around at the large crowd.

He There were young and old, men and women. of different races and fashion styles. The place was packed and large animated works of art danced on the famous sails, courtesy of the Vivid Sydney festival.

I thought back to all the events which I attended at what we affectionately call “home”. On its few stages, I saw Shakespeare, a drama about the Oxford English Dictionary, and a big-budget musical that later landed on Broadway. In its main performance hall, I listened to classical and soul music as well as a reimagining of Bob Dylan.

Outside, during the Last year alone, I had beers on the stairs listening to “The War on Drugs” playing on a stage facing the harbor, and The Pixies too. Inside, on the main stage, I once interviewed Harvard historian Jill Lepore about American politics for a festival of ideas.

In a corridor, I met Tim Minchin, the creator of “Matilda”. One evening I said hello to Lianne Moriarty, the author of “Big Little Lies.” After Amy Poehler finished, I walked past Emma Watkins, of the children's pop group The Wiggles. And at the bar or on the way to the toilet, over the years I have seen some of Australia's most powerful politicians, as well as some of my neighbors and many strangers, striking up interesting conversations.

I tell all this only because, at least for me, it is extraordinary. Never in my life have I had such a deep and varied connection with a cultural institution, never have I seen so much in one place and never have I felt so at home and so connected to a creative community in an art venue, no matter if I was wearing jeans, shorts, or the fanciest thing I own.

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