Everybody belongs at Harmony Festival

THIS year’s Harmony Fest is underway, celebrating Ballarat’s diversity and multicultural groups’ contributions to society.

The initiative began in 2010 and includes celebrations on Harmony Day, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated today.

From 2pm the community is invited to attend a celebration at the Intercultural Garden on the corner of Sturt and Pleasant streets.

This year’s flagship event is on tomorrow, Saturday 22 March – a free community event in the Bridge Mall.

It will feature music, dance, food trucks and activities from 10am until 2pm.

People can also attend the Ballarat Indian Association Holi Festival of Colours and an African food night tomorrow.

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council (BRMC) CEO Suzanne Ryan-Evers said it is essential to celebrate cultural diversity and belonging.

“It’s really important for us to be celebrating the good things about living together and this year it’s very much about respect and acknowledging that cultural diversity brings something to celebrate rather than to fear,” she said. “Everybody does need to feel like they belong in a community, and this is where they can come forth and celebrate their diversity.”

The festival began with a celebration at Ballarat’s Intercultural Garden last Friday with performances, taster workshops, children’s activities and dinner.

Throughout the week there have been a range of events such as pasta demonstrations with the Ballarat Italian Association, an interfaith friendship walk, the BKFA Indian Food Festival, and a Chinese Cemetery tour.

On Wednesday 26 March, the BRMC will host a morning tea to celebrate one year of the Barkly Square peace pole.

There will also be an interfaith service at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral.

The program concludes on Thursday 27 March with a Dutch Related ‘borrel avond’ catch up. To view the full program, visit the City of Ballarat website.