CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY WITH HARMONY FEAST

The community is invited to the dinner table at Harmony Feast, which brings together the melting pot of Maribyrnong cultures for the time-honoured tradition of breaking bread and sharing a meal.

More than 2000 guests are expected at the Maidstone Community Centre on Sunday 19 March for the much-anticipated return of this cherished community event after three years on hold due to the pandemic. Thirteen different cuisines from around the world will be cooked onsite by a team of local volunteer chefs. There will be food that appeals to any palate, with those with dietary requirements also catered for with vegan, gluten-free and halal options amongst the 300-500 serves of each traditional dish cooked. Some of the offerings on this year’s menu include Malaysian Curry Laksa, Maltese Macaroni, Thai Papaya Salad, Chilean Completos and Somalian Rice and Lamb.

Nazish Fafique, who regularly volunteers at the Asylum Seeker Resource

Centre in Footscray as a community meals chef, is one of those looking forward to putting on her apron again for this year’s event. She’s aiming to delight those with a sweet tooth with the popular Pakistani and South Asian dessert, Halwa.

“In Pakistani culture, food is important not only as a basic necessity but as an essential part of every occasion. It brings us together.

“On special events like birthdays, Ramadan festivities, Eid celebrations and public gatherings, without any discrimination we share the food and the table. And we never forget the ones in need, so we give away food at every chance we get as sharing is caring,” Nazish said. There will also be a range of family-friendly cultural activities and entertainment with live music, children’s face and henna painting, French hair braiding, a ‘Memory Archives of Food’ art engagement project, and other outdoor fun. The event provides a unique opportunity for residents to try new foods, share stories, make new friends and celebrate the many cultures that reside in our municipality. It has garnered enormous support from the diverse Maribyrnong community.

The return of Harmony Feast in 2023 celebrates Cultural Diversity Week, which is held annually every March to coincide with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Harmony Day (21 March).

For more information, visit maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ Events/harmonyfeast