Culture Mix is a celebration of Wollongong's diversity, and the upcoming event will offer something for all tastes … literally.
The program - launched this week and available here - is the result of extensive consultation with Council's Multicultural Advisory Committee and a range of local community organisations and individuals.
Having built on the success of last year's event, 19 October will see Wollongong CBD transformed into a hive of food, music, dance and art for the entire community to celebrate and enjoy.
Committee member Sylvina Beleniski says the celebration of our city's rich cultural diversity is not just something to be seen, but something to be felt and experienced.
"The great thing about the Culture Mix Festival is that it's not something you'll be passive about," Sylvina said.
"You're going to be engaged. There will be shows and performances, but the dancers will invite you to dance. If there's music playing, you'll want to dance."
"Every culture will bring its own rich and unique way of performing music and moving their bodies and mainly invite people to the celebration and the sacredness of dance, food and art in every culture."
Organisers have also ensured Culture Mix will be something you can taste, with the Global Kitchen to celebrate four culinary cultures with cooking demonstrations accompanied by dance performances and displays.
The space will see South American, Vietnamese, Burmese and Persian cultures showcase the fact that dining is a celebration.
"Last year the South American Asado (barbecue) was so popular," Sylvina, who will MC the Global Kitchen, said.
"In Australia, we love a 'barbie', but Asado in South America implies lots of hours of talking and being in the present moment. It's so rich and unique, and the idea is that the younger generations will learn how to do it because it's a ceremony that needs to be kept for the years to come.
"For the Vietnamese community, making the rice paper [rolls] is about being in touch with the earth and nature and their gifts. It's the same for the Karenni community when they prepare the rice with coconut cream and then place it into the banana leaves. It is about connection and culture.
"The Persian community will showcase traditional dance and educate us about the origins of backgammon, which dates back 5000 years in Persia, and demonstrate how to prepare the joojeh kebab, highlighting the unique ingredient, saffron."
The Global Kitchen demonstrations will be just part of the food offering, with 14 multicultural food stalls offering authentic and home-cooked traditional fare from around the world.
Many of our CBD restaurants and cafes will also be participating with activations and special food offerings.
Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said there's something for everyone to experience at the free all-day event.
"Our first Culture Mix was hugely successful, with more than 12,000 people attending across the day," Cr Bradbery said.
"We are so fortunate in Wollongong to have such diversity in our community that allows us to share in celebrations like Culture Mix that so enrich the cultural life of our city.
"That this diversity is reflected, not just in the celebration of the event, but in the curation and organisation of the program makes it a true community event, and one of which we can all be immensely proud.
"We are grateful for the NSW Government's support of the festival this year and, with an expanded program on offer, there is something for everyone to get out and enjoy."
Now in its second year, Culture Mix is made possible thanks to a two-year grant via the Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Major Festivals Grants Program. Don't miss your chance to experience this incredible event.
