The City of Ballarat is proud to be a part of Harmony Fest for its 12th year.
The 10 day community event got underway this week and will be running through to Saturday 26 March.
The festival wraps around Harmony Day, the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Day is marked in Ballarat with the official flag raising on 21 March 2022 at Queen Victoria Square, Sturt Street.
Harmony Day is a time when Australians can come together to reflect on and celebrate the many cultures that make up our country and show an appreciation of Australia’s diversity.
Harmony Fest aligns to the City of Ballarat’s Intercultural City Strategic Plan 2022-26 which promotes responsive service delivery, active citizenship, leadership and advocacy, and maximising and valuing diversity.
The City of Ballarat is committed to building a culturally aware and socially cohesive community by:
Developing strong collaborations between the City of Ballarat and its multicultural communities.
Showcasing the rich cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity of Ballarat through arts, performance, and education.
Publicly championing and acknowledging the benefits of diversity.
Fostering intercultural understanding through engagement/exchange with the broader community from a range of backgrounds.
Promotion of harmony through respect and acceptance of people despite race, language, culture, or religion.
The City of Ballarat is grateful for the support of the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, various multicultural groups in Ballarat, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Department of Jobs, Transport and Precincts throughout Harmony Fest.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said connection through culture is of utmost importance to him.
“Harmony Fest is a great way to celebrate our rich cultural diversity,” he said.
“Figures show that Ballarat is home to migrants from 89 different countries and almost 10 per cent of Ballarat residents were born overseas – interculturalism is now a defining feature of our community.
“The festival is a collaboration between the City of Ballarat and numerous community groups that promotes diversity through the sharing of aspects of different cultures, whether it’s through music, dance, food, story-telling or discussions.”
For a full program of Harmony Fest events click here.
