Auckland City Council Media release

4 February 2008

What a wonderful world

Enjoy the people, music, dance, arts, crafts and flavours from more than 40 nations in just seven hours at the Auckland International Cultural Festival on Sunday, 17 February from 10am to 5pm.

Auckland City Council proudly provides the free festival at Wesley-Mt Roskill's War Memorial Park in association with RMS Refugee Resettlement. It celebrates Auckland's cultural diversity and is a real feast for the senses.

The festival also features the popular Ethnic Soccer Cup, which due to its huge introductory success last year, will now be running over two days, with over 40 teams competing.

The council's Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee chairperson, Councillor Greg Moyle encourages Aucklanders to come along and enjoy the experience of being among these different cultures.

"This festival provides a great opportunity for new refugees and migrants to feel pride for their culture and a sense of connection to Auckland - and to share the cultural variety they bring to our city," says Mr Moyle.

The event features music and performances from many cultural groups including the MIXIT Fledging Trust Refugee Youth Arts Project, Chin Bamboo Dancers and Caribbean Southern Star Drummers.

There will also be traditional dance groups from Native America, Ethiopia, Assyria, Finland, the Congo and many other countries, as well as more than 150 stalls showcasing a variety of cultures, community groups and organisations.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/culturalfestival for more information.

Auckland International Cultural Festival is proudly sponsored by Housing New Zealand, The Aucklander and Families Commission and is supported by New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), The Lion Foundation and Radioworks (Kiwi FM and More FM).

ENDS

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