The 25th anniversary National Multicultural Festival is just two weeks away, and excitement is building for the festival’s much-anticipated return after a two-year absence.
The Festival will run from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February.
Tara Cheyne, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, said: “This summer, we’ve seen the appetite Canberrans have for returning to the events they know and love, and the buzz from the community around the festival is at an all-time high. With preparations in full swing, this 25th anniversary event is not to be missed.”
“The layout for this year’s festival has been carefully designed to minimise congestion around the stalls and stages, especially along City Walk,” Ms Cheyne said. “City Walk’s permanent plantings now make it an ideal place to relax and enjoy cooking demonstrations.
“We will have eight stages across the festival, so no matter when you attend, or where you are, you’ll find a heap of entertainment, culture, food, and fun.
“Beautiful Glebe Park is also part of the festival this year – a perfect place to sit and snack on your culinary delights, enjoy great cultural entertainment, and participate in workshops. It’s also where the parade will end on Saturday afternoon!”
The sensational headliners Mitch Tambo, Lisa Hunt, Parvyn, Justine Clarke, James Morrison, and Jay Laga’aia will be supported by a diverse group of artists from around the world. This includes East Timorese reggae/ska favourites Dili Allstars; Tibetan singer and multi-instrumentalist Tenzin Choegyal, collaborating with the Phoenix Collective; the German musical and comedy group The Beez; renowned contemporary South Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai; and a whole lot more!
- Big name entertainers at the National Multicultural Festival (8 December 2022)
- 25th National Multicultural Festival preparations in full swing (12 November 2022)
Paulo Almeida, a singer in Dili Allstars, said: “Timorese people have used music as a vehicle for their Independence, and through music, we showcase our identity and different rhythms.” The most famous dance is the Tebedai, a circle dance accompanied by traditional drumming.
“Performing at a festival like the National Multicultural Festival gives us a chance to showcase our music and culture, and learn about all other cultures that are also part of the festival. It might also open doors to collaborations and other connections.”
Tenzin Choegyal said: “As a Tibetan artist living in Australia, the National Multicultural Festival is a great event that gives space to share my music and the communal stories of the joys and sufferings of the many Tibetans who have left their homeland to live in Canberra and all around Australia. In the true spirit of multicultural Australia, it will be special to collaborate with the amazing string quartet, the Phoenix Collective.”
For the first time, the festival will include hands on workshops to allow communities to share their cultural heritage through dance, art, and language.
The festival will feature 35 workshops across the weekend, including how to wear an Indian sari or Korean hanbok, kung fu, calligraphy and bush dancing classes, learning Tongan greetings, and how to write in the Ancient Egyptian Coptic alphabet. Workshops are free, available on a first come basis, and are not ticketed.
Another first for the anniversary year will be a dedicated cooking demonstration program at the City Walk stage across all three days. More than 15 community and professional chefs will share the stories and techniques behind cultural dishes from Taiwan to Assyria, Peru to Thailand.
Manuela Fernández de Córdova, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ecuador, said the Latin American community was delighted to share its culture, cosmovision, colours, rhythms, and flavour.
“We have prepared a huge range of fun and inspiring activities for the community. Bring your dancing shoes and immerse yourself in some Latin moves at the zumba, capoeira, and tango workshops; taste some tequila, world famous Ecuadorean chocolate, or Colombian coffee; learn how to play the Argentinean bandoneon; make a beautiful bouquet with Ecuadorian roses; and littlies can learn how to create a Salvadorian kite and a Venezuelan mask. We can’t wait to see you there.”
With roadworks in the city and roads closed for the festival, Canberrans should rethink their routine when travelling to the festival and in and around the city in the days leading up to, and over the festival weekend. Free dedicated shuttle buses will run over the festival weekend, and there will be additional public transport services.
Find the full program of performers, stalls, and workshops; the festival map; and important information about road closures and shuttles buses on the National Multicultural Festival website: www.nationalmulticulturalfestival.com.au.
