UNE's international festival CultureFest gives locals a chance to experience the flavours of the world this weekend without leaving New England. This year it's bigger than ever: a three-day celebration of multiculturalism through food, music, dance, and movies.
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"The event," UNE International's Alexandra Cook said, "is a way for us to engage with the community, and share some of the richly diverse groups that make Armidale so unique and definitely worth celebrating!"
People from more than 80 different countries live in Armidale; 60 nations alone are represented at UNE.
"We also want to provide an opportunity for people in the region to come out with their families and just have a good weekend, a good time - especially given the current climate," Ms Cook said.
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CultureFest has officially run since 2017; a prototype was held at UNE in 2016. "It's always been held in the mall on an afternoon in December, for about five hours," Ms Cook said. "This year, we thought we would go crazy, make it bigger, and offer more diversity and variety of activities, and really make it a whole-of-community affair!"
The event opens on Friday night with a Bollywood film screening at the Belgrave Cinema at 7pm.
Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi is described as a crazy comedy of errors about an Indian professor kidnapped in China. (English subtitles.) The $20 ticket also covers food; the Indian community will serve snacks, including samosas and bhuja mix. Proceeds go to an international student scholarship fund.
On Saturday morning, locals will be able to learn yoga, lantern-making, Balinese dance, Chinese calligraphy, or origami. The workshops start at 9am; all are free, or entry by gold coin donation.
Saturday night is the peak of the festival, with food stalls and international music and dance in in Civic and Curtis Parks. The free event runs from 5.30 to 9.30pm.
"It's big, family friendly, just a lot of fun," Ms Cook said.
There will be 14 food stalls from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Ezidi community; fire-twirlers and drummers; and a kids' culture zone, with face-painting and a jumping slide. Youngsters will be able to design their own passport, and get it 'stamped' with a sticker flag at the countries' food stalls.
The festivities wind down with an intercultural brunch at UNE on Sunday morning (10.30am - 12.30pm) to welcome new migrants and refugees to the community. The event is open to the wider community; members of UNE, council, and government have been invited.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced last week that the state government would support CultureFest with $2500. It was, he said, a great way to bring the university and wider community together.
"The Armidale of today really lives up to its title of city with a vibrant mix of people from different ethnic backgrounds calling it home," Mr Marshall said.
"UNE International has done an amazing job over the past two years transforming Culture Fest from a one day event to an amazing three day experience which showcases food, art and dance from around the globe.
"Festivals like this are important in fostering understanding in the community," Mr Marshall said. "I look forward to getting along to Curtis Park and sampling some of the fantastic food, and I urge others to do the same offer."