MINISTER A FAN OF MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL’S HEADLINE GUEST

In the lead up to this year’s Queensland Multicultural Festival, Minister for Multiculturalism Lindy Nelson-Carr welcomed renowned Chinese musician, author and master chef Guo Yue to Queensland at Parliament House today.

Ms Nelson-Carr presented Guo Yue, a British resident, with an African fan handcrafted by Nigerian drum maker Tunde Solanke to help him cope with the warmer Queensland weather.

Guo Yue is a headline guest at this year’s festival and will treat audiences to a cooking demonstration of traditional recipes; participate in Diversity Writes, a literary and musical event; and play the bamboo flute.

Ms Nelson-Carr said Guo Yue, who has worked with stars such as Peter Gabriel, Sinead O’Connor and Hothouse Flowers, highlighted the many components of multiculturalism.

“Guo Yue is a great example of how culture dramatically influences food, music and literature,” she said.

Ms Nelson Carr said the Queensland Multicultural Festival showcased artists from around the globe.

“A half-hour program of arias from the well-known operas of Verdi, Puccini and Rossini as well as excerpts from Peking and Cantonese Opera will attract opera buffs and music lovers.

“The opera set with the multicultural twist of lesser known Peking and Cantonese Operas will take a light-hearted, cross-cultural look at the differences in expressing love in the Western and Eastern operatic traditions.

“If opera isn’t to your liking, there is music to suit all tastes including classical, jazz, fusion, world and traditional ethnic musical styles,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

There also will be art displays, literature, cooking demonstrations, historical exhibits, interactive installations, children’s activities and food from around the world.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the past two festivals had drawn more than 75,000 people to Roma Street Parkland and she hoped even more Queenslanders would celebrate the state’s multicultural lifestyle this year.

For more information visit www.multiculturalfestival.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002