Whanganui Festival of Cultures a feast for the senses

Whanganui Festival of Cultures a feast for the senses

On Saturday 22 September Whanganui will be treated to a feast for the senses as the vibrant diversity of our city is celebrated at Majestic Square. The event is the brain child of a group of volunteers called the Whanganui Multicultural Forum who aim to provide an opportunity for the many migrant groups and newcomers that make up our city to come together and share their unique cultural gifts with the wider community. The festival is supported by Wanganui District Council who has facilitated the Multicultural Forum meetings for the past two years in an effort to ensure that the needs of migrant groups relocating to Whanganui are being met.

Mayor Annette Main says of the festival, “Council is excited to share our rich culture and welcome both residents and visitors to come together in celebration and support of the 2012 Whanganui Festival of Cultures and to provide an event that is free to the public to enjoy and participate in.”

The enthusiasm and commitment of locals from various ethnic communities has culminated in the bringing together of a vast array of cultural performers at Majestic Sq on the 22nd, including visiting groups from Palmerston North who will be performing Japanese Taiko Drumming, Stilt Walking and a Fire Show.

Mainstreet Wanganui is thrilled that the group have chosen to use Majestic Square to stage their event. “This is just the kind of celebration Majestic Square was designed to facilitate,” says Elise Goodge, Marketing Manager, “we are honoured to be able to assist with the festival and bring the celebration into the heart of our city where it belongs.”

The festivities will begin at 11am with an official opening by Deputy Mayor Rangi Wills followed by solid on stage entertainment that will thrill people of all ages from 15 different groups through until 4pm. Food stalls representing 12 different countries will titillate the taste buds along with information and demonstration stands to educate people about all the wonderful things our town has to offer new migrants no matter where they have come from.

The Multicultural Forum hopes this event will become a showcase into the future that the whole community will come to look forward to and participate in.

What: The Whanganui Festival of Cultures
When: Saturday 22 September 2012
Where: Majestic Square (if raining Memorial Hall)

www.mainstreetwanganui.co.nz

ENDS

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