March 21st, 2024Feel the harmony as Ballarat celebrates all things multicultural

Ballarat celebrates all things multicultural as the city hosts its annual Harmony Festival from this Friday March 15 through to March 27.

The festival this year is being headlined by the Harmony Day Flag Raising Ceremony and Harmony by the Lake, with more than 30 events to be held across the two weeks.  

From Indian food festivals to Chinese library tours, global markets to daily musical performances in Sturt Street, there are many events on offer to help celebrate Ballarat’s cultural diversity.

In line with the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the 2024 Cultural Diversity Week theme invites us to weave a tapestry of vibrant experiences with “Our Shared Stories – Celebrating Together.”

Attending the launch of the 2024 Harmony Fest Program at Latin American restaurant Pancho on Mair Street, City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said Harmony Fest had created a better understanding of Ballarat’s cultural diversity.

“As the first officially recognised Intercultural City in Australia of the Intercultural Cities Network, we pride ourselves on maximising and valuing our cultural diversity in Ballarat,” he said.

“An Intercultural City is where diversity is deemed to be the norm and an advantage. What better way to showcase our diversity than Harmony Fest?

“I encourage people to explore the program, see what we have on offer and see what they can get out of Harmony Fest this year.”

Details for the two key events are as follows:

Harmony Day Flag Raising Ceremony, Thursday 21 March, 10.30am

• The annual Harmony Day Flag Raising Ceremony will be held on Thursday 21 March (the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination), at Queen Victoria Square (in front of the Town Hall).
• A morning tea will then follow, and all are welcome to attend.

Harmony by the Lake, Sunday 24 March, 12pm-3.30pm

• A free community picnic, with music, dance, and activities for families and everyone to be held at Lake Wendouree.  
• Bring your own chairs, picnic blankets and enjoy the day, to be held at View Point (opposite the Lake View Hotel)  
• Food trucks will be on site at own cost.

Harmony Fest is designed to align with Harmony Day, the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated on 21 March. The day encourages Australians to come together to reflect on and celebrate the many cultures that create our great nation.