HARMONY Fest is in full swing and is aiming to celebrate the region\u2019s multicultural communities and their contributions to local life.<\/p>\n
Running until Sunday, 26 March, the theme this year is \u2018our past, our future,\u2019 and includes ceremonies, film festivals, craft and sport activities, and feasts.<\/p>\n
The Irish community have kicked off Harmony Fest with St Patrick\u2019s Day festivities, and Ballarat and District Irish Association president Helen Bath said the events are a way to network.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps us with what we\u2019re trying to do, which is to link in with different community organisations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking to build those connections that were there in the early days when the Irish first came to Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been focused on Irish history, but there are Irish families arriving in Ballarat. The theme, \u2018our past, our future,\u2019 is incredibly relevant for us, and for so many of the multicultural groups that are part of the fest.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s extremely important to bring all the diverse cultures together to share in these wonderful festivals we have running,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s mind-blowing and wonderful to be a part of this city, and diverse cultural groups. There\u2019s so much to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballarat Interfaith Network\u2019s Friendship Walk will take place this Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re starting at the Islamic mosque in Canadian with Tausif Pattan speaking about their faith,\u201d BIN chair Margaret Lenan Ellis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Visit ballarat.vic.gov.au\/harmonyfest for the full program of events.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HARMONY Fest is in full swing and is aiming to celebrate the region\u2019s multicultural communities and their contributions to local life. Running until Sunday, 26 March, the theme this year is \u2018our past, our future,\u2019 and includes ceremonies, film festivals, craft and sport activities, and feasts. The Irish community have kicked off Harmony Fest with […]<\/p>\n