Festival of cultures 2010

Festival of Cultures is one of the longest standing community events in Palmerston North. In March 2010 Festival of Cultures celebrated its 20^th year. It is our City’s chance to celebrate art, culture, lifestyle and explore their connections to each other and New Zealand. The event is fully accessible to all of the community and offers free entertainment, food and arts and craft stalls in The Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday 27 March 2010. The event provided a range of entertainment and activities that included a vibrant mixture of live music by both local and national artists. The event attracted approximately 10,000 – 12,000 people of different ethnic origins throughout the day and the crowd varied in age from 0 - 80 years.

The Festival opened this year with a Community Cultural Lantern Parade and concert on Friday 26 March at 6.30 p.m. This Parade followed weeks of work and workshops around the community in order to encourage the community to get behind this new initiative for the Festival. The Parade was led by a huge Tiger Lantern made by Junk and Disorderly and many followed behind with their home made lanterns lit with glow sticks.

This event was followed the next day by the World Food, Craft and Music Fair on Saturday 27 March. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in The Square. For the first time in many years it rained whilst stall holders were setting up, but by 11 a.m. it was the beautiful sunny day promised to us! People enjoyed all day local and national entertainment along with cultural foods, crafts and culture. The Wellington based group Rhythm African Band starring Sam played traditional and modern African music. Their fast-paced blend of African rhythms, Afro beat, Ska and Hot and Spicy Music tempted many to have a dance!! They were followed by the trio Pacific Curls from Auckland, Palmerston North was this groups last gig on a long North Island tour. They were a Celtic, Maori and Pacific fusion of music. This unprecedented combination of fiddle, ukulele and Maori traditional instruments displayed a new direction for fusion in World music. Both acts were well worth seeing. Our local groups also performed with some exciting new acts.

There was more after the Fair to keep the Festival alive for longer. For the first time this year the Festival ran a “Taste of Culture” – Cuisine Show at the Convention Centre on Sunday 28 March. Unfortunately it was not as well attended as was hoped, but those who did attend were treated to some wonderful demonstrations by New Zealand’s own Celebrity chefs Ray McVinnie and Richard Till as well as local chefs Rueben from Bethany’s and Hester Guy Hester Guy catering.

Also for the first time as part of the Festival All Saints Church was host to Mosaic – a multicultural Church service, this attracted around 300 – 400 people and was very well received.

Te Manawa and the Library hosted a photography exhibition - “The Crescent Moon” depicting the Asian face of Islam in New Zealand and documenting the everyday experiences of Asian Muslims living in NZ.

The Globe Theatre became home to The Bone Feeder – written by playwright Renee Liang. This highly collaborative play was based on the reworking of the historical sinking of the SS Ventnor in 1902, drawing on disciplines of music, storytelling, dance, poetry and puppetry as well as theatre, those who attended enjoyed the experience.