World of rhythm, dance and music arrives at Woodford

Multicultural Affairs Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Folklines Multicultural Program at this year’s Woodford Folk festival would fill the air with the sounds of West African drums, Zimbabwean thumb pianos and Kenyan harps.

“The festival is set to be a wonderful celebration of multiculturalism and will help keep various cultures alive in our community while creating a greater awareness and understanding of others’ traditions and beliefs,” she said.

“The Folklines program will consist of two stages running simultaneously with the Folklorica Stage hosting tribal music, elaborate costumes from the Carnival de Oruro in Bolivia and fast-paced Macedonian and Bulgarian folk dance.

“The Hilltop Stage will offer Japanese Taiko drumming, Mongolian chant and Tibetan vocals.”

“With Bligh Government funding of $15,000 the Folklines program will continue to be an integral part of the Woodford Folk festival.

"Multicultural Assistance Program (MAP) grants support a wide range of activities aimed at highlighting community cultural diversity which in turn helps to reduce prejudice by breaking down barriers across cultures,” she said.

“The Queensland Folk Federation produces Folklines which not only entertains but fosters positive relationships with other cultures by bringing performers from across the globe to share their traditional music and cultural stories.

“Different cultures make a city a vibrant and exciting place to live, and we’re lucky to be able to experience and learn about so many cultures in the one place.”

The festival will be held from Saturday, December 27, to Thursday, January 1, 9am to 9pm each day, at 6 Woodrow Rd, Woodford .

It will include more than 2000 performers and 400 events, including a children's program and international artists comprising the Whitetop Mountaineers from the Appalachian Mountains in USA, Soname Yangchen from Tibet and Feridun Avar from Turkey.

“I encourage everyone to come along to these events to experience this rich cultural diversity,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

For more information on these events or to find out more about the Multicultural Assistance Program, visit www.multicultural.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280