Cultural Diversity Week: 11 - 21 March 2023 Harmony Week: 20 – 26 March 2023
Every year in March, we come together to celebrate our diverse and enriching multicultural communities.
Multiculturalism is a core part of our identity, our character and way of life. The City of Whittlesea is home to people who have 202 different ancestries and speak 92 languages.
As we prepare for Cultural Diversity Week, we reflect on the day that paved the way for these celebrations. March 21 is the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day reminds us that while celebrating multiculturalism is vital, so too is supporting and advocating on behalf of multicultural communities.
The 2023 Cultural Diversity Week theme is Our Past. Our Future: Celebrating and reflecting on the contributions of Victoria's multicultural communities. The theme invites Victorians of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on Victoria's long multicultural history and celebrate its bright future.
Harmony Week is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
What’s on in the City of Whittlesea to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week?
Community Festival Salon Space Activities
Head down to the Salon at the 2023 Community Festival where we are celebrating Cultural Diversity Week in a festive environment. Have your hair done in detailed African braids, your hands decorated with henna, be wrapped in seven and a half meters of fabric as you try on a beautiful saree, or participate in a high energy Arabic drumming workshop on darbuka drums! All activities are free.
Date: Sunday 19 March
Time: 11am – 5pm
Cost: FREE
Where: 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang
Info: 0419 520 501
The Salon
Presented by the City of Whittlesea
Watch incredible performances made by our community as they showcase the myths and legends of their cultures, in the theatre! All performances will take place in the exotic Salon tent at the Community Festival.
Date: Sunday 19 March
Time: 11am – 5pm
Cost: FREE
Where: 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang
Info: 0419 520 501
Diviner's Corner
Presented by the City of Whittlesea
Will I meet the love of my life? Will I have children? Will I be ok? Ask these burning questions to any one of our fantastic diviners. Try out Celtic Tarot, Indian Vedic Astrology and Turkish Coffee Cup readings to see what your future holds. All readings are free, just visit the Salon Space at the Community Festival.
Date: Sunday 19 March
Time: 11am – 5pm
Cost: FREE
Where: 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang
Info: 0419 520 501
Cultural Diversity Week Celebration
Presented by the City of Whittlesea
Join us for a wonderful celebration of cultural diversity, with food, dance, music and art from around the world. Dress in your cultural attire.
Date: Monday 20 March
Time: 5.30pm – 9pm
Cost: FREE
Where: Epping Memorial Hall, 827 High St, Epping
Bookings: Dalal.Sleiman@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
Harmony Week
Presented by Melbourne Polytechnic
Melbourne Polytechnic invite you to join in the celebrations for Harmony Week, a festival to recognise the amazing cultural diversity within the student population. Over three big hours, watch enthralling performances, join the fascinating activities and participate in thought-provoking workshops.
Date: Tuesday 21 March
Time: 10am – 1pm
Cost: FREE
Where: Melbourne Polytechnic, Cnr Cooper St and Dalton Rd, Epping
Info: 0432 655 965
Bookings: eventbrite.com.au/e/melbourne-polytechnic-harmony-week-tickets-510385886927
Online Activities
Get involved from the comfort of your home with some of our past events and online activations. From dance classes, to stories, to cooking classes exploring dishes from all over the world, explore our digital library and celebrate the cultural diversity of the City of Whittlesea with us, on demand!
Tea Time
In celebration of Cultural Diversity Week (19 – 27 March) and Harmony Week (21 – 27 March) 2022, the City of Whittlesea invited our community to explore tea ceremonies and tea traditions from across the world. We experienced a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, participated in a beautiful Chinese wedding tea ceremony, discovered traditional Turkish tea and coffee, drank from the Yerba Mate of Argentina, uncovered the exquisite Persian tea culture and learned how to make delicious Indian Chai.
This wonderful showcase was held in the fabulous setting of our exotic Salon tent at the City of Whittlesea Community Festival.
Watch the videos and experience the warming essence of tea for yourself
Culture in the Kitchen
Welcome to Culture in the Kitchen, where we learn to cook dishes of cultural significance and meet some incredible community chefs.
Each episode is filmed in real time so you can cook along. Together we will learn to make the delicious beef and prawn dish of Ndole from Cameroon, the delectable eggplant and lamb Ali Nazik from Turkey and the scrumptious Chaldean Kilecha sweet treats.
Click here to cook these amazing recipes
Collaborative Cultural Dance
Love to dance? Explore three fantastic dance styles: Aboriginal, Bollywood and Mutuashi with professionals teaching you an authentic routine.
Aboriginal Collaborative Cultural Dance
Join Mandy Nicholson, Wurundjeri woman, as she teaches authentic Aboriginal dance. Learn a special routine of traditional moves created to honour our Liwik (Ancestors), Kerr-up-non (Family), Biik (Country) and animals.
Experience the Aboriginal Collaborative Cultural Dance Class online.
Bollywood Collaborative Cultural Dance
It’s time to break out in dance and release your inner Bollywood star. So, get down in these spirited classes and learn an exciting routine suitable for the movies.
Experience the Bollywood Collaborative Cultural Dance Class online.
Mutuashi Collaborative Cultural Dance
Let the rhythm overtake you as you move to the Mutuashi, the Congolese dance of freedom. Join in these two energising, hip-swaggering online classes and learn a routine that will have you shaking your body, releasing your mind and unleashing your spirit.
Experience the Mutuashi Collaborative Cultural Dance Class online.