The festival aims to foster a sense of belonging and increase understanding and cooperation amongst people of different backgrounds.
More than 100 international performers from our sister cities will take to the stages of the sixth Toowoomba Languages & Cultures Festival at Queens Park on Sunday, August 14. The popular community festival, being held from 10am to 4pm, is a celebration of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the people of this region. Entry is by gold coin donation.
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Above: Cr Paul Antonio joins in the Aboriginal dancing at the 2010 Festival.
Korean dancers are coming from Paju while Japanese sister city Takatsuki is sending a Japanese choir and their world renowned Taiko drummers. The Women in Harmony Choir from Christchurch will add their voices to the Toowoomba Women In Harmony Choir on the Peace stage while a Maori group will also be performing a special three part act. Indonesian Topeng masked dancers, Bollywood dancers, Chinese Lion dancers, belly dancers, Scottish Highland dancers, Cultural Stargazers, and Congolese, Thai and Sudanese dancers are among the many acts on stage.
The festival will feature a rich mix of languages, foods, dances, music and community members with 27 food stalls, over 60 displays, 25 market stalls, activities for children of all ages and non-stop multicultural performances on three stages.
For the first time this year, a Health and Wellness Expo will be part of the event. Over 20 health providers from traditional medicine and alternative therapies will be displaying their services and products.
Buses will be running from Millmerran and Crow’s Nest to bring people to the festival. Tickets cost $10 and buses leave council service centres at 9.30am and will leave Queen’s Park at 4 pm.
The Toowoomba International Multicultural Society (TIMS) is the major sponsor of the event which is also supported by Toowoomba Regional Council and Multicultural Affairs Queensland. The Modern Languages and Teachers Association of Queensland and Mercy Family Services are also major partners.
Elizabeth Jones,
Languages and Cultures Festival Co-ordinator
Ph 4688 6300
