The Sunshine Valley Gazette

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Multicultural first: Festival comes to the hinterland

Drums of Pacific Australia perform at a recent Festuri event.

Festuri Multicultural Music & Dance Festival will be held in the hinterland for the first time in October offering a feast for the senses with international food, music and dance.

The free, family-friendly event is to be held at Beerwah Sportsground on Saturday October 29 from 10am-6pm. 

Festuri events have been staged since 1999 and now regularly attract 8-10,000 people and President  Dominique Cisse said the sportsgrounds offered a perfect location, being close to rail and bus lines.

“It’s easy to get to Beerwah from the city, the coast or the hinterland,” he said. “You can hop on a train from Nambour, for instance.

“If you’re from out of town,  camping is available on-site.”

The 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled because of Covid. “After two years we are so ready,” said Dominique.  

“We have a huge range of stall holders, lots of informations stalls and merchandise stalls. We have about 40 dance and music acts, a drumming workshop, a laughter yoga workshop and even rock wall climbing for kids.

“It’s such a wonderful day where everyone from cultures around the world come together for a celebration of international dance, music and food. Funnily enough it is what is different about us that brings us together. It’s always very colourful. 

“We’re bringing a variety of different cultures’ favourite music, dance, colours and tastes from around the world into the one place. 

“We find there are a lot of ethnic groups living in the hinterland. We offer a new sub-branch there, and that’s one of the reasons we wanted to host in Beerwah.

“It’s a brilliant venue. It’s huge and right next to the railway station so it’s easy for people to visit from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

“It’s a great educational experience for the community of what multiculturalism is all about. People bringing their dance, music and food culture to the hinterland.”

 Festuri Multicultural Music & Dance Festival Sat 29th Oct, 10am-6pm at 32 Sportsground Drive, Beerwah. Information festuri.info@gmail.com. Free tickets (receive colour-in and win a festuri t-shirt and hat) www.festuri.org.au OR just show up for a great day of fun.