This weekend, pretty much every Canberran will gather in the city to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the National Multicultural Festival.
It’s a great event that is recognised across the country. Whether you’re a first-timer, or have rolled up for every one of the previous 19 years, OutInCanberra has collated our combined wisdom to bring you the ultimate guide to the city’s biggest party.
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1. Don’t be a dick.
No, seriously… This is really important. The city is going to be filled with more people than you’ve ever seen before, and it’s going to be HOT!
Be patient as you make your way through the crowded thoroughfares. Smile, wait, wave people through and give a wide berth to frazzled parents trying to navigate prams and toddlers through the throng. The look of relief and gratitude you will receive in return makes it easily worth it.
If there’s a long queue for ‘spiralled potato on a stick’ or ‘poffertjes’, then join in and wait like everyone else. Even better, send a friend off for drinks at the same time, then meet at a prearranged place to scoff it all down. Divide and conquer, my friends. It’ll be sweet!
2. Stay hydrated
Yeah, yeah… giant cans of Polish beer are great fun, however if you’re out from lunch until night time, you need to pace yourself. The Bureau of Meteorologyis predicting 31-34 degrees across the weekend, and that doesn’t bode well for a long day of drinking beer of sucking down delicious cocktails served in coconuts.
Given we haven’t experienced much warm weather since before Christmas, it’s unlikely you’re acclimatised to the heat. Be sure to Slip, Slop, Slap and try to drink some water between every bottle of booze. Oh, and make sure you eat some lunch, dinner, or (at very least) the aforementioned spiraled potato.
3. Take in the Culture
Well… obviously. This is what the Multi-Culti is all about!
Unless you’ve just finished your PhD in International Politics with a Bachelors degree in Geography and Demographics, there’s something you can learn at the festival. While most of us identify with our direct heritage, there is a world of information available at every stand.
After you’ve taken a hold of your food/drink/pamphlet, take a couple of minutes to ask a question or have a chat about why the festival is important to them, or how their culture is represented by whatever it is you’re about to shove down your throat. You might be amazed by the answer.
4. Have fun!
While this refers largely to Tip 1, it’s also a more inclusive concept than simply enjoying yourself. The National Multicultural Festival is a great time to step back and think about how lucky we are to live in a city free of violence, where everyone can get along while remaining proud of their heritage and keeping a connection with their community.
This is what makes Canberra a great cultural melting pot. We live in a city were you can have a great night hitting up a restaurant for some quick Chinese food, enjoying a French film, heading to a bar for some Cuban rum and then grabbing a kebab on the way home.
And who doesn’t want to live in a place like that?
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Happy 20th Birthday, National Multicultural Festival!
For maps, show times and further information, check out www.multiculturalfestival.com.au.
