Bendigo Library Joins in the Bendigo Festival of Cultures

Goldfields Libraries will join forces with Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services to offer a vibrant range of multicultural themed events as part of the 2016 Bendigo Festival of Cultures, to be held during Cultural Diversity Week from Saturday 12 – Sunday 20 March.

“Goldfields Libraries is delighted to host a number of events as part of the Festival,” says Goldfields Library Corporation CEO, Chris Kelly.

“Multiculturalism is strongly embraced by the Bendigo community, and our libraries are pleased to extend one of our every-day themes of cultural and social inclusion into a wider reaching celebration.”

The Festival’s Grand Opening Extravaganza will be held in the Bendigo Library Gardens on Tuesday 15 March, followed by the “Common Ground” art project launch and the “Enlighten” projection project in the evening.

The ‘Common Ground’ art project has been developed over a series of community workshops led by local artist Julie Andrews to produce a collaborative collage. The project has been made possible by a Community Grant from the City of Greater Bendigo.

The ‘Enlighten’ projection project is a City of Greater Bendigo public art project for young people between 15-25 years of age. It takes participants on a night tour of light projections on several of Bendigo’s buildings, public spaces and laneways.

Goldfields Libraries will host several events throughout the festival, including Games from Other Lands as part of Harmony Day in the Hargreaves Mall on Friday 18 March.

A series of ‘Colourfest’ short films celebrating the migrant experience will be shown at Bendigo Library on Saturday 12 March and Woodend Library on Wednesday 16 March.

Stories will be abundant during the festival with a special session of Stories from Other Lands at Bendigo Library on Saturday 19 March. A cultural diversity theme will be incorporated into regular storytimes at all Goldfields Libraries branches from Tuesday 15 – Friday 18 March.

An array of international foods will be served at Kangaroo Flat Library on Thursday 17 March and Eaglehawk Library on Friday 18 March for the World Cuisine Morning Tea events.

Crowds at Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton Libraries will enjoy lively sessions of African Drumming on Thursday 17 March.

All events are free and bookings are not required.

Visit www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/culturaldiversity and www.bendigofestivalofcultures.org.au for further details and full festival program.