8 May 2023
Tapestry of Cultures Family festival celebrates Australia’s diverse culture, food, dance and live music
Experience a tapestry of sights, sounds and tastes celebrating more than 15 cultures and communities from around the world at the Tapestry of Cultures Family Festival on Saturday 13 May 2023 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
The Tapestry of Cultures Family Festival will be a free event featuring diverse music and dance performances, delicious food options from around the world, an array of enticing market stalls, family friendly workshops and creative drop-in activities.
Brazilian, Punjabi, Chinese, Balinese, Javanese, Greek and Irish are among the cultures to be featured at the festival. Local First Nations communities will also be represented.
The Museum’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre, an immersive play and learn space for children of all abilities from birth to 6 years will also be free for the day, offering stories and activities for young children.
National Museum of Australia Director Dr Mathew Trinca said the Museum is thrilled to be showcasing Australia’s diverse cultures and welcoming more than 15 cultural groups to the site.
‘The Museum is looking forward to celebrating Australia’s multicultural landscape during the day of festivities. We have been working with diverse communities to create a day of lively performances, thought-provoking conversations and hands-on activities for the whole family,’ said Dr Trinca.
National Museum Manager of Contemporary Programs Jessi England said the Museum is excited to be bringing local and interstate performers, artists and diverse cultural communities together for this vibrant multicultural celebration.
‘Tapestry of Cultures will be a beautiful day out for visitors of all ages and a feast for the senses! Visitors are invited to bring friends and family to the stunning location of the National Museum of Australia for a fun, entertaining and inspiring day,’ Ms England said.
The event is proudly supported by the Hellenic Club as Performance Program Partner.
‘We are hugely appreciative of the ongoing support of the Hellenic Club who, following the great success of the Museum’s Agora Greek Festival, are supporting the festival performance program,’ said Ms England.
Performances from the likes of local Ngunnawal singer-songwriter Alinta Barlow, contemporary Punjabi Australian singer and dancer Parvyn, Brazilian Sydney Choro Club and Canberra Dragon Dance will dazzle and surprise, while younger visitors can enjoy a story telling session in the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre from Biripi man and debut author Adam Duncan, who will be reading his new children’s book, The Bunyip and the Stars.
The day will also feature artists Emma Rani Hodges, who will be creating a collaborative artwork, which visitors are encouraged to join in on, and Kalkadoon Pitta Pitta woman Ronnie Jordan, who will be leading a drop-in weaving session.
Tapestry of Cultures is a special event in association with the National Museum’s exhibition Feared and Revered: Feminine Power through the Ages. Pop-up talks in the exhibition throughout the day will showcase the vast collection of cultural objects from six continents, dating over 5,000 years.
Exhibition ticket costs will apply.
The event will be held across the Museum grounds on Saturday 13 May 2023 from 10am to 4pm.
Media Contact: Matthew Heap 02 6208 5006 | 0459 949 172 or media@nma.gov.au