By Roxanne Millar
THE cultural traditions of Karen and African communities will come to life as part of celebrations to mark Wyndham’s cultural diversity this week.
As part of the Australia-wide Cultural Diversity Week, Wyndham City Council has organised a program of exhibitions and community events to recognise local multiculturalism.
Wyndham mayor Shane Bourke urged people of all backgrounds to get involved and learn more about each other’s histories.
“It is all about getting to know one another,” he said.
“We’ve all come from different countries in the last 230 years and so it’s about celebrating that.”
Until 23 March, Burma’s Karen community and Congolese, Sudanese and Horn of African communities will display cultural artefacts, paintings and sculptures at the Wyndham Cultural Centre.
The cultural exhibition will also feature performances and food tasting at lunchtimes by the various communities.
Children will be able to get in on the action at a multicultural storytime event on 21 March from 10.30am at Heaths Rd Library.
On 23 March a lively cultural night will take over the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre, featuring cultural song and dance and traditional costume.
The cultural cause will go carbon-friendly on the weekend with a community tree planting day from 10am on 24 March at Presidents Park Playground.
Cr Bourke will plant a Harmony Tree before sparking up a free barbecue for those who check in to Perla Protacio on 9742 8124 before 22 March.
To take the week-long celebrations out in style, a multicultural street parade will be staged in Watton St from 11am as part of the Weerama Festival.
