Renee Goldup posted on March 29, 2010 15:40
The Multi-Nations Food Festival held on Saturday, 20 March has been hailed a huge success by organiser and Co-ordinator of Southland Multi-Nations, Violet Stewart.
Up to 2,000 people attended the festival throughout the day, held at the Southern Institute of Technology’s Hansen Hall to celebrate Race Relations Day.
The event consisted of food sales from numerous local ethnic restaurants and community organisations and ethnic performances with performers from India, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Te Wharekura O Arowhenua and Pacific Youth.
Southland Spirit of Nation Brand Co-ordinator, Gerry Forde, who was MC at the event, said there was lively support for all performers ranging from pre-school Indian dancers to Tongan drumming and dancing. An impromptu national anthem spot drew singers from India, Australia, Samoa and the singing of the New Zealand national anthem.
“The ethnic diversity in that packed room was stunning - we rubbed shoulders, talked, shared and we ate marvelous food together," Mr Forde said.
Mayor Tim Shadbolt addressed the crowd and said that initiations for new citizens at the Invercargill City Council used to occur annually but they are now happening on a monthly basis, indicating the large number of new people coming to live in Southland.
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