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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:34am

Five men in brightly coloured traditional Indian outfits in red, yellow, pink, purple and blue dance on a stage

CultureFest is back for 2019 bringing the world to Selwyn.

Now in its fourth year, the popular festival will be celebrating the diversity of Selwyn through food, art, sport and performance, and have a go activities.

CultureFest will take place on Sunday 29 September, 10am–4pm, at the Lincoln Domain.

Visitors can enjoy more than 25 different stage performances by groups from 16 different countries ranging from Ireland to Indonesia and here in Aotearoa. There will also be workshops allowing people to experience different cultures from Iran to China and beyond, plus a culinary world tour with food from more than a dozen different countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Ukraine, Spain and Iran.

Council Sport Recreation and Wellbeing manager Dave Tippett says CultureFest is part of the Council’s work to help people from all cultures feel welcome in Selwyn.

“We want to celebrate people from all cultures and ethnicities who have made Selwyn their home because of the positive enriching impact that diversity has on our community. CultureFest is a real celebration of that – it’s an experience for the senses, for people listening to and seeing some amazing performances, arts and crafts, tasting and smelling exceptional, authentic ethnic food and having a go.”

This year Lincoln University Student’s Association (LUSA) has joined the Council and the Christchurch Multicultural Council on the organising committee. Taking part in CultureFest will replace its similar International Night event that was held around the same time, LUSA general manager Fiona Kay says.

Lincoln has the highest proportion of international students for a New Zealand university and students and some staff will be taking part as volunteers, stall holders and performers, she says.

“Our students and staff are very much part of the community, they live in the community, work in the community and some have families with children going to school here. It’s just great engaging with the community and showcasing the diversity of our student population.”