2006 QUEENSLAND MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL BRINGS PARKLAND TO LIFE

MEDIA ALERT

The Queensland Multicultural Festival will kick off at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane this Sunday, 15 October.

Minister for Multiculturalism Lindy Nelson-Carr said more than 45,000 people were expected to attend the festival, which will showcase music, dance, song, art, literature and food from around the world to celebrate Queensland’s cultural diversity.

Eleven stages scattered throughout the Parkland will feature 770 talented performers.

Apart from a rich, colourful showcase of music and dance performances, the festival has a strong interactive program, children’s activities and will display short-listed photographs in the Premier’s Multicultural Photographic Awards.

The festival will run from 10am-8:30pm.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES / PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

·Citizenship Ceremony, Dance Stage, 10am-11:15am

·Diversity Writes, hosted by Nick Earls, Dance Stage, 11:30am–12:30pm

·Festival Welcome by Minister Nelson-Carr, LakeStage, 12:30pm– 12:45pm

·Opening of ‘Youth in Diversity’ monument by Minister Nelson-Carr and Queensland Roar captain Chad Gibson, Ceremonial Stage, 1pm-1.10pm

·Chinese cooking demonstration with Master Chef Guo Yue, Minstrels Gallery, 1pm–2pm

·Tongan-Australian singing sensations Vika and Linda with a vocal tour de force,LakeStage, 12:45pm– 1:45pm

·The Road to Rio Carnaval Procession, the colourful throng winds its way from the LakeStage to the Amphitheatre, 2:00pm – 2:20pm

For the full program or more information, visit www.multiculturalfestival.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Kate Fisher 0407 477 974 or

Karla Steen from Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 0417 603 409.