A world away
Thu 14 September 2006
Amy Taylor, Journalism
A flurry of vibrant colour, deliciously scented food and flamboyant performances greeted festival-goers at the Sunshine Coast’s recent Festuri, attended by about 8000 people over three days.
The weekend offered a little piece of something, from somewhere, for everyone.
The event was officially opened on Friday, August 25 at the Cooroy Butter Factory by Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Chris Cummins who said cultural diversity was a great strength of Queensland.
“Multicultural projects such as Festuri play an important role in helping to create an environment of mutual understanding and harmony,” Mr Cummins said.
“My personal highlight was the 'Great Multicultural Celebration' at the University of the Sunshine Coast... It was a great chance to enjoy a sample of the diversity of cultures we have right here on the Sunshine Coast.”
Indigenous Australians and other performers gathered from all over south east Queensland, originating from countries such as Thailand, Bosnia, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Bali, Vietnam, Italy, Latin America, Macedonia, the Philippines and Spain to enjoy the three days of celebrations.
Saturday delivered ‘Cultures of Asia’, which was held at the Kings Beach Amphitheatre in Caloundra City and featured dancing as well as enchanting Japanese drumming.
For those keen to kick up their heels, ‘Dance to a Different Beat’ was held at the Lake Kawana Community Centre, where the evening’s Latin theme attracted an amazing array of colour, dance and style.
On Sunday, the University of the Sunshine Coast’s campus reflected the diverse social fabric of the Sunshine Coast community at the ‘Great Multicultural Celebration’. The day’s festivities provided a forum for people to share unique stories, traditions and experiences from all over the world.
Festuri Public Relations Coordinator, Suzanne Strong, said this year’s event was extremely successful, with about 200 performers showcasing many different cultures from around the world.
“…there were new aspects like more workshops, storytelling and the Boo Crew cane sculpture that people could throw balls into as well as Louis Armstrong’s grandson Hollywood Herb. Everyone loved all the performances… Festuri allows the Sunshine Coast to recognise the more than 100 different nationalities that exist here on the Sunshine Coast. But not only this, appreciate and celebrate these cultures,” Ms Strong said.
In its eighth year, Festuri has grown significantly from its humble beginnings in 1999 and is now a premier multicultural event for the Sunshine Coast and broader south east Queensland communities, featuring a full weekend of celebrations.
The festival aims to encourage and involve the community in celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity. Maroochy Shire alone is home to people born in over 128 countries, speaking over 37 languages at home.
“Festivals such as Festuri do more than make Queenslanders from ethnic and culturally diverse backgrounds feel at home and proud of their origins, they are important forms of expression and sharing that enable people from diverse backgrounds to better integrate into society,” Mr Cummins said.
“They allow people the satisfaction of being able to give back to the wide community cultural experiences that Queenslanders might otherwise never enjoy without going overseas.”
And in times of global uncertainty, there is relief knowing the value of cultural difference is realised on the Sunshine Coast, through events such as Festuri.
Image(s) designed by Suzanne Strong