Toowoomba multicultural festival brings thousands together to celebrate diversity

The iconic Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival (TLC) is once again set to bring thousands together in a celebration of diversity when gates open in Queens Park today.

Attending the Festival for the second year running, Multicultural Affairs Minister Grace Grace said the event brings together more than 100 community and cultural groups, organisations and businesses from the region to support and encourage a sense of belonging and community harmony.

“The festival is now in its 12^th year and is recognised by the Queensland Government as one of its Multicultural Month significant events,” Ms Grace said. 

“With more than 15,000 people expected to attend, they can expect to be kept well and truly entertained by a range of cultural music and performances, arts and crafts, multicultural food, artworks and a multicultural health and wellness expo.” 

Ms Grace said that today’s event was organised by the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society who continued to do a great job promoting community awareness of the benefits of cultural diversity throughout the region. 

“The theme for the festival is ‘One World Many Faces’ and it is a message that is very apt for a state as diverse as Queensland,” Ms Grace said. 

“Queensland truly is a multicultural success story, a place that is home to people who speak more than 220 languages and hold more than 100 religious beliefs. 

“This festival is just one of many events taking place during Queensland Multicultural Month and we have supported it through a multi-year grant of $20,000 per year for this year and next year through our grants program. 

“It’s great to see people in the Toowoomba region get out and support such a wonderful celebration of multiculturalism and I encourage all Queenslanders to get out and get behind the multicultural events in their own areas during this month’s celebrations.” 

More information about the festival can be found at http://tlcfestival.com.au/ 

For further Queensland Multicultural Month events go to: https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/gateway/queensland-multicultural-month 

Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548