Record crowds for Most Blessed Nights

Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun has promised an even more spectacular Most Blessed Nights celebration next year after record crowds of more than 200,000 packed Macquarie Mall for this year’s colourful spectacle.

Mayor Mannoun called the five weekends of Most Blessed Nights the most successful cultural promotion by any council in NSW and said next year would be even bigger and better.

“This year drew crowds from all over Sydney as well as the local community,” Mr Mannoun said.

“This celebration continues to grow. Next year will be even bigger and more spectacular with more stalls and more attractions.”

Most Blessed Nights started last year in Liverpool to immediate acclaim and has gathered momentum across the community, helped by its nonsectarian theme that coincides with other celebrations including Easter, Orthodox Easter, Passover and Ramadan.

Bigger and better next

Thousands of people packed the transformed mall during March and April relishing a riot of colour and excitement as they were transported to a Middle Eastern world of fabulous food, stunning coffee and entertainment.

Strategic lighting under a darkened night sky helped highlight the unique, Middle Eastern atmosphere.

“It is a feast for the senses,” Mayor Mannoun said.

The dazzling array of food featuring authentic middle eastern dishes alongside western and Asian cuisines along with cake stalls like Echo Café’s offering a rainbow of colours and textures made Most Blessed Nights an event to remember.

Even the cardboard camel used to promote a food stall looked to be having a good time.

Stallholders and local businesses are enthusiastic about the success of Most Blessed Nights and its potential.

“It’s been great to see the community come together and to see some lively happenings in Liverpool,” said Joe Haddad from Al Barakeh.

The proprietor of BBQ @ Sam’s (Fruits on Macquarie) in Macquarie Mall said people were travelling long distances to attend the celebration.

“One of our customers came from Canberra just for us,” he said.

“It’s amazing. People from all over the place have been coming. People are loving the setup. The atmosphere, the people, everything is great.”