AUSTRALIA is “beautiful” according to Aysha Sido. The 9-year-old arrived in Newcastle 12 months ago, after the Federal Government responded to the Syrian crisis by increasing its humanitarian program to allow 8000 Syrians to resettle in Australia.
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The Year 3 student at Jesmond Public School will perform a traditional Kurdish dance at the Unity and Diversity Festival, to be held for the third time in Newcastle, next month on July 1.
Organisers say the festival will be the largest community multicultural event in the city.
“We are very excited to announce that our MCs for the day will be ABC 1233 Newcastle presenter Jill Emberson, and Newcastle Aboriginal leader Sean Gordon,” spokesperson Phillipa Parsons said.
The festival highlights and celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Newcastle with 20 performances across three stages.
There will also be international food stalls, workshops and children’s activities. It kicks off at 11am with a walk down Beaumont Street as an expression of unity. Participants are invited to wear traditional dress.
Following the walk there will be an Awabakal welcome to country, smoking ceremony and dancers at Gregson Park to open the festival.
During the day there will be many performances, drumming workshops, world language and craft lounge, hula hoop workshops, origami, calligraphy, bookmark, mask and windmill making; indigenous artwork, and craft stalls.
A highlight will be a special performance by newly arrived Syrian refugees. There will also be stalls where you can try on a Muslim hijab or an Indian sari, have your hair done in African beads or get a henna tattoo.
Speakers include Newcastle’s Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, NSW MP Mehreen Faruqi, Marie Zawadi, Diana Rah, Therese Doyle, Jo McGregor, and Sister Di.
The Unity and Diversity Festival is being held as part of National Refugee Week and will be held in Gregson Park on July 1, from 11am.
More information visit: facebook.com/Newcastle-Celebrate-Unity-in-Diversity