Cultural celebration looks to past and future

HARMONY Fest is in full swing and is aiming to celebrate the region’s multicultural communities and their contributions to local life.

Running until Sunday, 26 March, the theme this year is ‘our past, our future,’ and includes ceremonies, film festivals, craft and sport activities, and feasts.

The Irish community have kicked off Harmony Fest with St Patrick’s Day festivities, and Ballarat and District Irish Association president Helen Bath said the events are a way to network.

“It helps us with what we’re trying to do, which is to link in with different community organisations,” she said.

“We’re looking to build those connections that were there in the early days when the Irish first came to Ballarat.

“We’ve been focused on Irish history, but there are Irish families arriving in Ballarat. The theme, ‘our past, our future,’ is incredibly relevant for us, and for so many of the multicultural groups that are part of the fest.”

Intercultural ambassador and member of the Ballarat Italian Association, Antonella Cupello, said an Italian Film Festival is set for the Regent Cinemas tonight and tomorrow night, Friday, 17, and Saturday, 18 March, and everyone’s welcome.

“It’s extremely important to bring all the diverse cultures together to share in these wonderful festivals we have running,” she said.

“It’s mind-blowing and wonderful to be a part of this city, and diverse cultural groups. There’s so much to learn.”

Ballarat Interfaith Network’s Friendship Walk will take place this Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.

“We’re starting at the Islamic mosque in Canadian with Tausif Pattan speaking about their faith,” BIN chair Margaret Lenan Ellis said.

“Then we’ll walk to the BRMC Welcome Centre on Bakery Hill where a visiting rabbi from Melbourne, Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, will speak about the Jewish faith and the importance of interfaith dialogue in our day and age.

“Finally we will finish at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Humffray Street North where Angelo Christofi will speak about the history of this little church, and where the Orthodox Church fits into the history of Christianity in general.”

Visit ballarat.vic.gov.au/harmonyfest for the full program of events.