Multicultural events popped up everywhere as the state celebrated Cultural Diversity Week. A diverse fair in the CBD aimed for greater cross-cultural understanding, while a range of music and dance from different nations were celebrated in a festival in Oakleigh.
BY KATIE WONG HOY
Melbourne proudly celebrated its multiculturalism last Saturday at the Community Cultural Fair as part of Victoria’s annual Cultural Diversity Week.
A sea of colour engulfed the Art Deco Drill Hall with Melburnians of all ages gathering to learn about the other cultures that make up this vibrant city.
The Community Cultural Fair has been running for three years and aims to encourage people to embrace other cultures.
Adult Multicultural Education Services community engagement officer Amrit Kaur says events like this are important for raising cultural awareness.
“They serve as a platform and bring a lot of people from all different backgrounds in one platform … these are very important to bring all people together and learn and build tolerance and harmony,” Ms Kaur says.
Melbourne City is known as one of Australia’s most multicultural areas. The latest census shows almost half the residents of the CBD were born overseas.
More international students are also choosing to study in Melbourne. The census shows the majority of 20-34 year olds in the CBD are not Australian born.
International student Neri Tan came from Malaysia to study in Melbourne. She says Australia provides opportunities that she does not have back home.
“As a country, I think Australia offers a variety of exciting opportunities in the field of education and employment,” Ms Tan says.
“For me, I personally think every student in Australia is given an equal chance for their education, which I think is important. I didn't feel like that back where I came from but this wouldn't apply to most people.”
Being a multicultural city definitely has its benefits. Ms Kaur says the diverse cultures make Melbourne unique and beautiful. They also provide a wide variety of cuisines, which Melbourne is known for.
“Multiculturalism adds a lot to the Melbourne way of life. You can eat anything you want from West to East," she says.
"Middle Eastern food is there, any kind of European [food], you name it … and then the beauty of it! We all have different features. Just like a garden with different flowers, it makes our place more vibrant,” Ms Kaur says.
Melbourne City Council's Community Cultural Fair was all about the joy and appreciation of other cultures. Some highlights included an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, jewellery making, face painting and turban tying. Various traditional dances provided both entertainment and cultural learning opportunities.
One suburban council with a rich cultural heritage celebrated its diversity with a lively festival.
By SHING HIM NG
A 10-day multicultural banquet of food, music, and dancing built to a lively conclusion with a feast day in Oakleigh, in Melbourne’s southeast.
The Oakleigh Music Festival presented an expanded program that celebrated the rich and diverse culture of the city.
Oakleigh councillor Theo Zographos said the music festival was a unique multicultural event that enriched and united the community.
“By openly expressing those cultures, it means that everybody can take part in activities such as music, dancing or cooking … we do that as one community and taking part in different cultures,” Cr Zographos said.
He said multiculturalism related to Australian history, culture and society, and led to an open and democratic nation.
Different groups such as Oakleigh city band and local indie band Des Chio performed live on the main stage during the final day of the festival.
Cr Zographos said TEK TEK Ensemble, the multi-genre mini orchestra, was one of the highlights on the final day, giving the audience an extra taste of jungle and country music.
The band with six members captivated the audience with a crossover of classical and electronic instruments, demonstrating their own distinct music genre.
Away from the main stage, the “Flavours of Monash” area had volunteers from different cultural backgrounds displaying their home country’s cuisine.
Sarita, one of the hosts, showed how to make Indian roti bread. She said cooking food was the best way to learn about different cultures.
“Today’s opportunities can let people learn the food culture of different places like India, Greece, Italy … they can try to make it at home and would love different cultures from the delicious food,” Sarita said.
Another popular performance was the Chinese traditional group dance show with five women from Kingston Chinese Senior Citizens Club.
Kingston Senior club leader Anna Wang said the festival was a great opportunity to promote Chinese culture through traditional dancing and lantern making.
“[I am] so happy to see many people watching … by performing the Chinese traditional dance, they can know more about the Chinese culture through the dances and music,” Ms Wang said.
Most of the activities allowed visitors to join in, even playing music or dancing with the performers.
Oakleigh local Simon Ward brought his family to the Oakleigh Music Festival to enjoy the Sunday afternoon.
He said the festival was a good way for people living in Oakleigh or the city of Monash to learn about each other’s cultures.
“I think this festival can unite people from different cultures in the society to learn and respect each other’s style of living … that is [what] I bring my family here to experience,” Mr Ward said.
International student Leo Ko said this festival let him discover and learn the cultural diversity in Oakleigh and in Australia.
“I never knew Oakleigh is a diverse community until I came to this festival… It let me know more about the historical context of multiculturalism in Australia,” he said.