Dedicated people behind la festa

| Isaac Colman

What the festival represents

The festival is a week of highly charged and authentic Italian entertainment celebrations, but it also pays homage honouring the Italian immigrants who left their homeland in search of a better life and future in Australia.

The festival celebrates generations of Italians making Australia home and changing the face and future of the Far North Queensland region in farming, business, and development. This event is way overdue, and encompasses the entire North Queensland region from Cairns, Atherton, Dimbulah, Edmonton, Gordonvale, Innisfail, Mareeba, Mossman, Mutchilba, Port Douglas, Silkwood, Tully, and Yungaburra.

Festival committee

The Cairns Italian Festival has a number of people voluntarily working hard in different fields to achieve what is going to be 17 days of celebration, full of rich and authentic Italian culture.

The president of the commit- tee, Steve Cordenos, is set on making this festival not just a way to celebrate the Italian community, but also the wider community as well as showcasing the tropics as a holiday destination.

“As the president I am greatly thankful to lead this amazing committee and team to showcase the Italian way of life to the broader north Queensland residents,” he said.

“To stage such an event takes a massive commitment of time, devotion, and hard work from the entire committee.

“We are blessed to have a young and vibrant committee driving this Cairns Italian Festival so that for generations to come this will be an event that will attract thousands of people, celebrating our multi enriched way of life and to never forget our forefathers that came before us.

“The many hours invested to put such a big event together is all volunteered and let me assure you everyone is focused to stage an event for all north Queensland to be very proud of.”

“We are proud and passionate Australian Italians that want to give Cairns an event that will enrich and engage the community and businesses as one.

“What an opportunity to showcase Cairns as a holiday destination while enjoying the celebrations of the Cairns Italian Festival.”

The festival’s management committee includes vice-president Lui Garozzo, treasurer Claudio Di Bartolomeo, secretary Anna Cito and management member Angelo Aurelio. The festival’s general committee includes entertainment and gala ball coordinator Patty Poutanen, social media manager and web designer Arianna Bianchi, graphic designer Yu- Kang Huang (Patrick), video production director Michael Pattini, foundation book co-ordinator Gemma Meoli, teacher team leader Flo- rianna Torelli, logistic and planning co-ordinator Claudio Di Bartolomeo, volunteer co-ordinator Lainie Rossi, raffle team leader Teresa Senna and general committee members Gina Codotto.

What’s on

Throughout the 17 days, there will be an entire array of events and festivities for all ages and interests. From an Amalfi Coast dinner night to a gala ball, as well as the Mareeba Moriconi Bomben football cup, where the Mareeba Bulls will be going against the Leichhardt Lions in a head-to-head game with a lot at stake.

For more information, visit www.cairnsitalianfestival.com. au/events