FROM Afghanistan to South Africa, the region’s cultural diversity was embraced at Harmony Day celebrations in Swan Hill at the weekend.
Crowds flocked to Riverside Park on Saturday evening to enjoy the hospitality, entertainment and food from different cultures.
After a Welcome to Country, there were performances from different groups throughout the night to keep visitors entertained.
Martina, from the Indonesian Dance Group, arrived in Swan Hill last year and was excited to showcase a fusion of Indonesian and western dancing.
“Indonesia has a lot of provinces where there is so much ethnic and cultural diversity,” she said.
Danni has been living in Swan Hill for the last 26 years, and she said it was the first time her daughter had performed a traditional Indonesian dance.
“I send her to dance classes where she learns western dances, but this gives her an opportunity to learn more about her culture,” she said.
Many locals volunteered at the event, including people who once called Swan Hill home.
Ahass, who worked as a chef in Murray Downs Country Club, now lives in Melbourne, but came back to Swan Hill to provide classic Afghani food like kabuli pulao.
“I came back because I know people, and I know the community here and it’s a good town to be in,” he said.
“I’m glad I came here today to celebrate this place and people from different nationalities.”
St Mary’s Primary School teacher Archana Patney has lived in Swan Hill for the last 17 years and has been organising Harmony Day for 13 years.
“A group of us has this idea of celebrating diversity and giving back to the community,” Ms Patney said.
“In our first year, we would be happy if we could get 200 people to come along, and now we have about 3000 to 4000 people coming.”
Ms Patney said that the day is very special to her and many others because they get an opportunity to share their culture with the rest of the community.
“People have commented and said ‘this is the happiest day in Swan Hill’ and I think everyone just loves this day.”
Ms Patney said the event wouldn’t have been possible without the many volunteers who got involved.
“There were so many people wanting to perform, that we had to implement a time limit per act,” she said.
Ms Patney, who wore a bright pink kameez, said she receives a new outfit from her mother in India every year for Harmony Day.
“She knows it’s a special day for me, so even if my parents haven’t come to Australia yet, they are still a part of Harmony Day.”
The night finished with a fashion parade on the stage and then the crowd danced to international music.
