Diversity highlighted by the moon

By Akech Yangidt | Wed, 07/10/2009 - 15:48 |   No comments
Yarra residents use the Moon Lantern Festival to celebrate cultural diversity and harmony through arts.
 
Richmond public housing estate recently hosted the Moon Lantern Festival, to showcase the artistic array of residents in the City of Yarra. Although the festival originated in Chinese and Vietnamese culture, it is celebrated by other communities from diverse cultural backgrounds.
 
 
“It is the best model of practising multiculturalism possible. It embraces all groups of migrants: both well established groups such as the ones from Middle Eastern, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities, and the new emerging groups from Africa such as the Sudanese, Liberians and Ethiopians,” said Liss Gabb, the Artistic Coordinator of Art and Cultural Programs at North Richmond Community Health Centre. Some of the young artists part of her organisation were performers at the festival.
 
The star performer in this event is Richmond-born 14-year-old Abira De Olivera, who has performed at the festival for three years straight. She learns a lot from the festival including understanding differences and respect to others. “All human beings like to have fun,” Abira said. Through performance, she gains more confidence.
 
Richmond high rise resident Khien Chan couldn’t be happier as people celebrate Chinese and Vietnamese culture, and not discuss the human rights abuse and communism the two countries are often associated with. Ms Chan has been coming to this festival for the last 10 years and believes every time she attends the event, it is bigger and better. She also learns about other cultures too.

“It reminds me of my family and culture back home in Vietnam. (The event) teaches me about diversity of people from different backgrounds and cultures,” she said.
 
A similar experience is shared by Indonesian-born Ekberios Bengamia, who has resided at the Richmond estate for seven years. He attended the festival with his wife and two children, and hopes his children can grow up with confidence like the little African girls who performed on the day.
 
Moon Lantern is an annual festival that started 14 years ago. It was started by a handful of Chinese and Vietnamese staff at Richmond Health Centre, who were missing on such events back home.
 
Then the festival was participated by 20 people from Chinese and Vietnamese descent. Now the festival is celebrated by over two to five thousand people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.