Focus on cultures at Inala fiesta

Published: 6 November 2011
By: Selina Venier

All smiles: Helpers from one of the many stalls at the fiesta on October 29 Picture: Alan Edgecomb

IT'S difficult to know which age bracket most enjoyed this year's Multicultural Fiesta in Inala.

The October 29 event gathered an array of families, teenagers, clergy and special guests for an afternoon of faith and cultural sharing.

Hosted by the Ethnic Youth Ministry Council under the guidance of the Ethnic Ministers Group and the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care, an estimated 1000 people attended throughout the afternoon and evening.

The Ethnic Ministers Group chair Society of Christ Father Sylvester Karasiuk said "it was bigger than last year" and he praised the efforts and presence of many.

"We have found a lot of support (for the fiesta) from local politicians, local council, the Queensland police and other ethnic backgrounds," he said.

Bishop Joseph Oudeman attended, along with State Transport and Multicultural Affairs Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tim Nicholls.

World Youth Day pilgrims recently returned from Madrid, Spain, addressed the crowd about their experiences. They were from the Chinese and Italian communities.

The afternoon's entertainment included marital arts, dancing groups representing the Vietnamese, South Sudan, African, Indian and Hispano American communities, and musical offerings of a particularly Indonesian, Korean, Chinese and Filipino flavour.

When asked if he'd tried "something new" from the array of foods on offer, Fr Karasiuk said he'd spent so much time among many cultures that he was fortunate to already be familiar with their culinary delights.

The first Multicultural Fiesta was held last year to allow cultures from across the archdiocese to "get together", Fr Karasiuk said.

He is "very happy" in the knowledge it will continue as an annual event.

No doubt the children who enjoyed the dodgem cars and fireworks are too.