Savour the flavours, enjoy the rhythms, and connect with cultures at Adelaide’s premier global gathering next weekend.
The 2024 Multicultural Festival is set to take over Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square from noon-6pm on Sunday 24 November. It’s a free, fun, family-friendly event with something for everyone.
Whether you’re in it for the food, the music, or just to soak in the incredible energy of so many cultures coming together, it’s a fantastic day out.
Discover the world in Adelaide
Hosted by Multicultural Affairs in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the festival will feature more than 80 multicultural community groups showcasing their heritage.
The lineup on the main stage includes a Scottish pipe band, Cantonese opera singers, flamenco, and traditional dances from Ireland, Sri Lanka, Mexico and more.
Meanwhile, there’s workshops where you can try everything from the Brazilian martial art of capoeira to Congolese hair wrapping.
Learn to make traditional Ukrainian Motanka dolls, play the Indonesian angklung (bamboo rattle) or have a go at Chinese calligraphy.
You can taste food from all over the world, with stalls offering everything from Turkish delights to Sri Lankan curries and Brazilian street food.
Greek traditions with Hellas Lucas
Among the many cultural groups taking part, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) is ready to share its rich heritage.
Hellas Lucas, the Cultural Committee Chair and Dance Academy Coordinator of GOCSA, gave us a sneak peek into what you can expect at the Greek stall (top tip: arrive with an empty stomach).
“We have a store this year called Zacharoplasteío, which means a pastry shop or patisserie in Greek. We’ll have sweets like baklava, diples (a deep-fried pastry with honey and nuts), and Greek spinach pies,” Hellas says.
Hellas and her team of volunteers will also be serving frappés, traditional Greek coffee, and running a Greek dance workshop.
“Everyone is welcome to join in the dances, all ages, from children to adults,” she says.
The importance of cultures coming together
For Hellas, participating in the Multicultural Festival goes beyond just the delicious treats and traditional dances.
“It’s important to celebrate all the different cultures and different communities here, especially now when there are a lot of new migrants coming in with their cultures too,” she says.
But, as Hellas points out, everyone in South Australia, “whether they’re a new arrival or fourth or fifth generation, originally we all came from somewhere else”.
Why festivals like this matter
South Australia prides itself on its multiculturalism. With people from over 200 birthplace groups speaking 180 languages and practicing 95 religions, our state’s diversity is something we cherish.
Events like the Multicultural Festival celebrate this, bringing people together in a peaceful, inclusive atmosphere for a fun time.
Hellas believes the event represents something truly special: “Everybody’s very friendly, very welcoming of the new cultures and immigrants.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the different cultures and tasting all the different food. It’s a very family-oriented event, with no alcohol, which means it’s perfect for everyone.”
For more information and the full event program, click here.
