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Organisers of Queensland multicultural festivals and events planned for 2021 can now apply to share in $1 million funding through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program.

The Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program is an annual program that provides funding towards multicultural events and projects that engage people from culturally diverse backgrounds and the wider community to contribute to building an inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland.

Queensland Minister for Multicultural Affairs Stirling Hinchliffe said multicultural festivals were an important and colourful reflection of Queensland’s diversity and added “there is no question that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and these festivals and events are a vibrant, interactive and enjoyable way of celebrating our multiculturalism.

“Queensland is home to people from 220 different countries and territories who speak more than 180 languages and identify with over 110 different faiths, and that diversity is well worth celebrating.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on all Queenslanders. Under COVID Safe measures, successful staging of multicultural events in 2021 will further help Queensland unite and recover.”

Tamihana Johnston is a performer at Te Korowai Aroha - Waitangi at Twilight in Logan and says the annual event encourages the next generation to perform as well.

Johnston notes “getting up on stage gives the younger ones and idea of what can be done. Some young Maori can be shy and this event gives them the confidence to get up there and do it too.”

Marissa Papageorge is a traditional Greek dance teacher and oversees much of the stage performances at the Greek Fest Glendi Townsville.

Papageorge adds “the most important thing is watching the children of the Greek community practicing all year round and then seeing the smiles on their faces when they perform and seeing the smiles on the faces of the broader community watching.

“It’s wonderful to see the children embracing their cultural heritage and the Townsville community embracing it as well.”

Minister Hinchliffe said events that had been funded to be held in 2020, but because of COVID-19 have been postponed to 2021 (such as the Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival, Mareeba Multicultural Festival and Pasifika Gold Coast Festival) would not need to apply for funding for this round.

Other multicultural events to be held in 2021 should apply to have an opportunity to receive funding from the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program.

Minister Hinchliffe added “I am pleased to announce that the program is now open for events to share in the funding for 2021, and I call on all eligible organisations, groups and associations to submit an application and help bring their event to the community.”

Applications can be submitted online through SmartyGrants until 25th September 2020.

For more information go to www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/cmq-grants

Image courtesy of Greek Fest Glendi Townsville 

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