The first Kiama Culture Fest was a stunning success on Saturday with early-morning rain clearing to allow the community to come together for a day of diversity bathed in glorious spring sunshine.
Up to 10,000 enjoyed the festivities throughout the weekend, including a full day of colourful international interactive performances from a traditional Corroboree to African dancing with live drums, the Kiama Pipe Band, bellydancing, samba, salsa, Japanese hip hop, a Bollywood showcase and Southern Chinese Lion Dancing.
Attendees enjoyed Turkish coffee on sand and traditional kofte by Saltwater Kiama, kulche, masala chai with By The Sea, Asian fusion by Uncle Fukus, Mexican burrito cones by Kiama Leagues Club, savoury and sweet pastries by the Macedonian Welfare Association, and made their own naan bread with JJs Indian Restaurant.
Mayor Cameron McDonald said Kiama Culture Fest was the perfect platform for exploring what makes us all unique and the experiences that bring us all together.
“It was marvellous seeing thousands of local residents and visitors congregating in a bustling, friendly atmosphere Hindmarsh Park,” he said.
“I was pleased to see so many cultures represented from our local Indigenous communities to the wide variety of other heritages that were represented in a range of ways.
“A lot of people expressed to me how lucky they felt to enjoy the positivity of living in such a joyous multicultural community.”
Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said: “‘It was great to see so my local families and visitors enjoying Kiama Culture Festival over the weekend. Our local businesses and Council did a phenomenal job to showcase the strength of our multicultural community.”
There were cultural workshops for Turkish tile making, traditional shell art, mosaic plate creation and henna tattoos. Swiss puppeteer Pierre Filliez from Shake Shake Theatre put on a dazzling performance while German artist Heidi Uhlig held watercolour canvas workshops at Old Fire Station.
Kiama Council’s Culture team worked with Belgian mural artist Kitsune (aka Jolien) to paint a mural as part of the festival, on Terralong St which is situated between Vinnies and Kai Lunar Collections.
The unity colour run with foam tunnel and super soakers, run by the Jones Beach Boardriders, was a hit for young and old, bringing a splash of colour to an (eventually) sunny day.
Kiama and Gerringong Library coordinators created a pop-up library with children’s and adult mystery book packs, a cultural story booth and a Folklore trail. They proudly promoted their Multicultural Bulk Loans service in partnership with NSW State Library.
