When the Sydney Opera House opened its doors in 1973, it was a testament to the power of architectural imagination and innovation. The iconic building, which turns 50 this year, celebrated its golden anniversary in style with a dazzling laser show and free tours for the public. The celebrations are a tribute to the building’s status as one of the most outstanding architectural designs of the 20th century, attracting 10.9 million visitors annually.

Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Opera House on October 20, 1973. To mark its 50th birthday, Australian audio-visual artist Robin Fox designed a light show illuminating the building on Friday evening. The following day, 37,000 people were expected to take advantage of free tours during the Opera House’s first open day in eight years.

“A symbol around the world and a national treasure turns 50,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Happy Birthday to an Australian icon.”

The story of the Sydney Opera House is a tale of triumph over adversity. As part of the 1956 Opera House international design competition, 233 designs were submitted by architects worldwide, with Jorn Utzon from Denmark emerging as the winner. Although construction began in 1959 and was initially slated to take four years, a change in government, design differences, and cost overruns led to Utzon’s resignation. The project ultimately took 14 years to complete. Recognizing its significance, the Sydney Opera House was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2007.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House, we also celebrate the vision and determination that brought this architectural masterpiece to life. The light show and open day are a fitting tribute to a building that has become a symbol of Australia’s cultural heritage and a source of inspiration to people worldwide.