The Vedanta Centre in Springfield Lakes hosted the One and All Harmony Day Festival on Saturday, March 23, celebrating multiculturalism.
The festival, dedicated to commemorating Australian multiculturalism and the successful integration of migrants into the community, drew in approximately 450 attendees.
From lively jumping castles to market stalls from local businesses, delectable cuisine, live music and mesmerising dance performances, the event offered something for everyone.
This year’s festival showcased performances by a diverse array of artists, including Uncle Glenn Barry with a Welcome to Country ceremony, Bharatanatyam dancer Ashwini Nandkumar, singers from the Philippines, the Sargam Music Academy, the African Drumming group Balaki Balaka, and PanAlchemy featuring Tsoof Baras and Darshil Shah on handpans and bansuri flute.
Reflecting on the event, organisers expressed their joy at witnessing the diverse community coming together in the spirit of friendship and unity.
Swami Atmeshananda, resident monk and head of Vedanta Centre Brisbane emphasised the importance of diversity in today’s world.
“In a world that is increasingly less tolerant of difference, the message of Vedanta is extremely important. Vedanta teaches that we are part of a larger, interconnected whole and we must not just tolerate others, but accept people as they are,” he said.
“The One and All Harmony Festival is a small effort towards this goal, and small efforts ultimately lead to great results.”
Harmony Day, celebrated annually on March 21, is a testament to inclusiveness, respect, and belonging for all Australians, irrespective of their cultural or linguistic backgrounds.
“Events like today are really important because we live in a society that is so diverse,” volunteer production manager Menaka Thomas said.
“Australia is the land that welcomes and integrates people from all around the world, and they call Australia home.”
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For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Sally Kinnaird Communications Coordinator, Vedanta Centre Brisbane
Email: sally@vedantabrisbane.org
Phone: 0426 430 292
