Victoria is the place for multicultural events, with a mosaic of cultural festivals paying homage to people’s heritage from around the world.

To further facilitate this, Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Ros Spence announced $750,000 for 205 community organisations across the state so that they can deliver COVIDSafe multicultural festivals and events from now until the end of June. The state government is also making good on its pledge to the Greek people with $200,000 for events celebrating the bicentenary of Greece’s independence and $50,000 to support various Hindu organisations host events.

Specifically, there will be 23 community organisations to share in the funds allocated for Greek festivities to commemorate an important Greek national milestone.

Funds will help deliver a variety of events, parades and festivals over the coming months – both digital and in-person. Among the many events, the Greek Community of Melbourne will be running Greece21 – which offers a full program of activities to celebrate, commemorate and educate others about the struggle of Greek people for independence.

It includes a lecture series, a musical event and public art exhibitions in the laneways off Lonsdale Street, a performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre, a writers’ festival and a comic book publication launch.

The feature presentation will be held at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, the oldest Greek church in Victoria.

In April, the Cretan Foundation of Australia and New Zealand will hold a tribute concert and in May, AHEPA (Victoria) will run a series of lectures at the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne honouring the heroes and heroines of the Greek War of Independence.

Furthermore, with Victoria home to the largest Greek population in the world outside of Greece, some of Melbourne’s top landmarks will also be lit up in blue and white – the Greek colours – specifically for the occasion.

“Victorians have a lot to celebrate after a very challenging year and the Multicultural Festivals and Events program will support our communities to safely come together and do just that,” Minister Spence said.
“We know that sharing and preserving culture is part of what makes Victoria such a successful multicultural society – and this will continue.”

The state government will also  support large scale events like the Melbourne Italian Fiesta and SalamFest, alongside smaller events like the Geelong Nepalese Association’s Holi Festival, which is expected to attract around 200 people.

All events will adhere to COVIDSafe settings, with many organisations choosing to continue hosting digital events.

READ MORE: Events galore: Your guide to the 200-year celebration of Greece’s War of Independence

The Castlemaine State Festival will receive funding to support its popular opening night celebration, featuring award-winning singer-songwriter and activist Ajak Kwai who sings of her exile from South Sudan as a refugee, in Arabic, English and her native Dinka language.

With Victoria’s iconic entertainment and events industry impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, this funding aims to support the safe return of festivals and events to the state’s cultural calendar and support the revitalisation of Victoria’s economy.

For a full list of events, visit vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-and-events-program.