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Celebration of Victoria’s diversity

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Celebration of Victoria’s diversity

Viva Victoria kicks of this weekend at Federartion Square.

16 Mar 2009
Fotis Kapetopoulos

Cultural diversity is something all Victorians seem to rejoice in.

This week’s Cultural Diversity Week is the “biggest ever” says George Lekakis the chairman of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, (VMC) when talking to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE).

Mr Lekakis was enthused, “Cultural diversity is a big celebration this year we have a major multicultural festival Viva Victoria at Federation Square.”

Multicultural festivals seemed unfashionable as Victorians became enmeshed with daily cultural diversity, there seems to be a re-emergence.

Mr Lekakis puts it down to an “unprecedented demand, a huge call by communities and their artists to create an-awareness of what they have to offer which is vibrant and of quality.”

He emphasised that Australia has undergone one of the “bigger explosions “ of migration in Australia since the post war period.

“We have people in Victoria from over 230 different countries of origin, and they will be reflected by over 70 brilliant different acts” he emphasised.

Mr Lekakis underscored the importance of the event, “This is a very inclusive festival with music, dance arts craft and design from over 60 different cultures that make up Victoria.”

Some of the performers at Viva Victoria include; dancers direct from Thailand, Maori displays, Wadaiko Rindo Japanese drumming, Sudanese and Indian musicians, and even hip and shoulder grooving Bollywood and Bhangra Doll beats.

Mr Lekakis pointed to the “funded activates in 50 school that are actively participating in the celebration of our diversity.”

He underscores” there are 200 events funded by the Victorian Government and VMC and a great voluntary effort artists and community organisers.”

For more information on events in Cultural Diversity Week and Viva Victoria go to www.culturaldiversity.vic.gov.au

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