Newcastle China Week concluded with a vibrant street festival at Hamilton on Sunday, entertaining thousands of Novocastrians who embraced the annual cultural celebration.
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Run by the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle, China Week aims to enhance the diversity of Australia’s intellectual, cultural and economic relationship with China.
This year was the event’s fifth edition, and included the China Business Forum on Friday and Hawker Night Food Market on Saturday in Gregson Park.
But it was Beaumont Street on Sunday that was alive with cultural dancing, music, food and art, bringing together the Chinese and Newcastle communities.
Chinese national Allen Yu, a 24-year-old Architecture student who has lived in Newcastle for the past four years, said the festival was a “nice” reminder of home.
“This is my second time [at China Week],” he said.
“It’s nice and something special to have Chinese culture here. I feel comfortable.”
A budding photographer, Mr Yu was out with the camera on Sunday and said he would be sharing his photos with friends from his hometown of Guangzhou.
Jenny Millgate, from Coal Point, said cultural celebrations like China Week play an important role in today’s multicultural society.
“It’s been terrific, everybody seems to be embracing it,” she said. “We’ve been living in France for a while and they do things all time.
“There’s a festival on every week in summer. There is always something happening.
“I think that we miss that a little bit in Australia, we’re not doing it enough. I think every little bit helps.”
Cher Jones, the director of institution relations for Greater China, said the festival featured a “very special” inaugural performance from the Beijing Dance Academy.
She said there was a “great synergy” between the city of Newcastle and China, and she was pleased to see Newcastle China Week return to Beaumont Street.
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce president Nathan Errington said it was estimated more than 20,000 people attended the festival.
“The Chamber pushed the agenda to make sure China Week returned to Beaumont Street because we are the multicultural hub of the city of Newcastle,” he said.
“It was an excellent day. Once again Hamilton loves to host major events and it was great to wrap up the end of the week.”