Embracing culture with local festival

Embracing culture with local festival

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James Mitchell with his son Lachlan attended this year's Heron Park Harmony Festival. Photograph - Richard Polden.

Harrisdale’s Heron Park was abuzz with visitors last weekend as more than 2000 people came together to celebrate different cultures. 

The City of Armadale’s annual Heron Park Harmony Festival was a huge success with a number of groups and schools, including the Sri Lankan Cultural Society WA, Sikh Association WA, Arts Versus Depression, Piara Punjab Club, Harrisdale Primary School and Saraswati Mahavidhyalaya, coming together to deliver the fifth consecutive festival. 

Mayor Henry Zelones said attendees were spoilt for choice as the colourful festival included a wide array of performances and food and drink options. 

“Demonstrations included Brazilian capoeira by Ancestrais Capoeria and a lion dance by the Chinese Chun Wah Association along with a Ghanian drumming workshop performed by African Oz Drum ‘n’ Dance,” he said. 

“Musical performances throughout the festival included the Harrisdale Primary School choir, Lilly Gogos, the Kahui Kaumatua Maori group and the Sahra Persian ensemble.” 

Other festival highlights included turban tying and eco workshops, henna tattooing, children’s storytelling and a short film screening titled Connecting Us by Arts Versus Depression founder Gavin Grace. 

The festival was part of the Armadale Arts Festival which runs until May 19. 

The festival is sponsored by Examiner Newspapers. 

Photographs – Richard Polden.