RECORD VISITORS AT QUEENSLAND MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

More than 45,000 people gathered at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane yesterday for the Queensland Multicultural Festival.

Minister for Multiculturalism Lindy Nelson-Carr thanked all festival goers who came to celebrate the state’s cultural diversity.

“It was wonderful to see so many people from different cultures in the one space having a fabulous time,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“The third annual festival hosted more than 66 different cultures from across the globe through music, dance, song, art, literature and food.

“There were 12 areas dedicated to multicultural activities including international headline acts Lior; Chinese musician, author and master chef Guo Yue; and Tongan Australian singing sensations Vika and Linda,” she said.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the more than 280 people from 43 countries who took part in the Citizenship Ceremony was a testament to the success of multiculturalism in Queensland.

“We are fortunate to live in such a diverse society and yesterday’s festival showed we can live together in peace and harmony very easily,” she said.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the festival would continue today with students in Years 5 to 9 taking part in Diversity Rocks, a free multicultural education program.

“There will be workshops including Tibetan Mandala making, a literary workshop by Brisbane author Nick Earls and performances by Maori dancers and Japanese percussionists,” she said.

The Queensland Multicultural Festival was developed by the Beattie Government to promote the importance of cultural diversity in the Smart State, and to provide Queenslanders with an annual celebratory event focused on multiculturalism.

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

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