Cultural Diversity Celebrated at 2013 Toowoomba Languages & Cultures Festival

Fine and sunny weather and almost summer temperatures drew many thousands of people to the eighth Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival at Queens Park on Sunday, August 11th.

This year’s festival, with the theme ‘One World – Many Faces’ features music and dance performances from scores of different cultural groups from across the Toowoomba region.

The centrepiece of this year’s fiesta was an Indonesian Spectacular.

“The day has become Queensland’s signature regional cultural diversity festival,” Events and Tourism Chair, Cr Geoff McDonald, said. “Stalls, art and music performances and workshops invite people from all cultures and faiths to learn a little about each other’s background. Every new community member adds a fresh dimension to our region and it’s important to welcome them to our city and region. This was the focus of the recent walk and event to declare Toowoomba a Refugee Welcome Zone.

Three non-stop stages featured Bollywood dancers, young Chinese performers, Korean word song, displays of Highland, Maori, German, Congolese and Indian classical dancers and many singing groups from South East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

International food  and market and gift stalls were well patronised. The Interfaith and Health and Wellness marquees were also popular.

The Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival is a joint initiative of the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society and Toowoomba Regional Council, with assistance from many groups and organisations and volunteers.